Consumer demand for table grapes is growing significantly

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Table grapes are one of the most popular fruits of the late summer and autumn period. Thanks to their special nutritional values, it is no coincidence that they are one of the most popular and consumed fruits in the largest quantities. 80 percent of the berry is water, energy and carbohydrate content are outstanding. The high content of vitamins A, B, C, K, as well as potassium, selenium, biotin, iron and folic acid in grapes promotes blood formation, the body’s self-defense ability, and is an excellent source of manganese. Among antioxidants, flavonoids protect the body from the destructive effects of free radicals.

Horticultural crops have a hard time coping with the negative effects of climate change, but there are species that are somewhat more tolerant of weather changes

We have few plants that can be successfully grown in our continental climate, but table grapes definitely belong here, the commercial cultivation of which is more relevant today than at any time 100 years ago. Late flowering largely avoids the spring frost period, which meant greater crop security this year compared to other fruits.

Although grape growing has traditionally been very popular in our country, farmers continue to grow wine grapes in the largest area

The main reason for this is that our country is located on the northern border of grape growing. However, due to constantly changing climatic conditions and increasing consumer demands, grape growing for table purposes may gain more and more ground in the world. The market share of mainly white, seedless varieties is increasing, to which the producing countries are responding by changing varieties and expanding their areas. According to the National Chamber of Agriculture and the Hungarian Fruit and Vegetable Association (FruitVeB), table grapes are currently grown on approximately 383 hectares in Hungary, the three most significant growing regions being Bács-Kiskun County, Heves County and Tolna County. At the same time, a larger quantity of dual-use varieties classified as wine grapes but also usable for fresh consumption are also used for table purposes. Thus, the area of ​​vineyards used for food purposes amounts to approximately 900-1,000 hectares per year. The annual production exceeded 10 thousand tons 10 years ago, but in recent years it has typically been around 4,600 tons. Domestic consumption amounts to 20-25 thousand tons and is constantly growing, so we need significant imports, which have increased spectacularly in recent years. In 2024, we imported a total of 15 thousand tons of table grapes. It is clear that the market demand for table grapes also justifies the development of domestic production.

This year, development was slow due to the cool spring weather, but after that, the capitals began to grow explosively

The deep root system of the grapevine tolerates the summer heat better, but irrigation of table grapes is essential to achieve a safe yield average and high quality. This year, due to the prolonged warm weather, the harvest started 2 weeks earlier than usual, which may represent a favorable market niche for sales. However, it can generally be said that heat waves caused by climate change can have a negative impact on the quality of the crop, i.e. the size, color and sugar content of the berries.

Currently, there are 43 state-certified table grape varieties and 2 table grape clones in the National Variety Register

Several resistant table grape varieties have been developed at the MATE Viticulture and Enology Research Institute in Kecskemét. Due to the different ripening sequences of the varieties, we can consume the fruit from July to October. In Hungary, the popular early-ripening varieties are Csabagyöngye, Szőlőskertek kiralinője muscovite, and Saszlák (chasselas); the mid-ripening varieties are Pölöskei muscovite, Attila, and Pannónia kincse; and the late-ripening varieties are Hamburgi muscovite, Afuz Ali, and Moldova. In Hungary, early-ripening table grape varieties appeared on the markets at the end of July this year. The domestic product can be found mainly in markets or greengrocers, but in some places, mid- and late-ripening varieties are also found in supermarket chains. We can only compete with table grape producing countries that are much larger than ours, dictating market prices and forcing great price competition, and from which the majority of imports come – Italy, Spain, Greece, Egypt, India – if our growing area increases significantly, and our efficiency (specific yields) and varietal structure improve significantly. For now, Hungarian table grapes are only present on the domestic market as a range expander. Another serious problem for the sector is the lack of labor, which is an indispensable resource in a culture that is difficult to mechanize.

In addition, the golden yellowness of the grapes also poses challenges for producers, the disease is already present in 13 counties

Curbing the spread of the pathogen may mean the future of domestic viticulture. The basis of protection against the phytoplasma that causes the disease is prevention, in which, in addition to the use of healthy propagation material, regular and targeted protection against vectors also plays a significant role. There is also a need to significantly increase sectoral organization, as fragmented production and sales cannot compete with concentrated retail sizes: a significant concentration of commodity bases is also needed on the production side. When buying, pay attention to the integrity of the bunches and the firmness of the berries. A thin whitish coating covering the grapes can be a sign of good quality, this is a trace of the condensing night air humidity. Do not choose half-ripe bunches, because they are not ripe. On the other hand, the riper the grapes, the more antioxidants they contain.

NAK