Australia’s Table Grape Comeback: 2024/25 Season Highlights & What’s Next 🍇

Stefano Franchini
Jun 25
3 min read

2024/25: A Record-Breaking Year for Table Grapes in Australia

The 2024/25 season delivered one of Australia’s best table grape harvests on record — over 230,000 tonnes of fruit. Thanks to ideal growing conditions in Sunraysia and the Riverina, vines thrived with even budburst, early flowering and strong bunch development.

Top yield:

Most growers harvested 20–23 tonnes per hectare
Standouts like Red Globe pushed over 30 t/ha

Top-performing varieties:

White seedless: Autumn Crisp®, Sweet Globe®
Reds: Allison™, Candy Dreams™

Young vineyards reaching full maturity also added to the volume surge, creating one of the most promising vintages for table grapes in Australia.

💰 Market Wrap: Local Price Drops, Export Strength

Domestic Market:Big yields meant lower prices in supermarkets — up to $10/kg less than imported grapes seen earlier in the year. But the silver lining? Aussies bought more grapes:

+11% more volume
+10% increase in value

Export Market:Despite slightly lower export volumes, the average export price hit $4.49/kg – a sign of strong demand for high-quality Australian grapes. Some premium varieties like Sweet Globe sold for over $5/kg.

🌏 Where Our Grapes Are Going: Export Market Trends

China is still the #1 market but its share is dropping (down to 32%). Other key destinations are growing fast:

YoY Change	🌍 Destination	Volume (tonnes)	Share
▼ -29%	China + HK	~36,800	34%
▲ +6%	Indonesia	23,764	22%
↑ growing	South Korea	8,771	8%
steady	Philippines	8,545	8%
▼ -49%	Vietnam	6,837	6%
steady	Japan	3,854	4%
steady	Singapore/Malaysia	~4,800	4%
expanding	Others (UAE, India)	~7,500 est.	7%

📌 Big win: Japan now allows over 130 Australian grape varieties, thanks to lifted restrictions.

🔍 Variety Watch: What’s Hot, What’s Not

On the rise:

Autumn Crisp®, Sweet Globe®, Allison™, Candy Dreams™

Not as popular:

Menindee Seedless, Thompson Seedless
Red Globe (due to seedless preference in Asia)

Growers are replacing older varieties with new IFG and Sun World genetics – better yields, longer shelf-life, and stronger export appeal.

🐝 Challenges in the Vineyard

Weather: Mostly dry, with isolated spring frosts
Pests: Fruit fly outbreak in WA triggered quarantines
Costs: Labour & freight still high, but improving

🚜 Growers are investing in:

Precision irrigation
Moisture sensors
New pruning strategies
New Trellis systems
Better branding & packaging
Government programs like PALM for seasonal labour

🚀 Innovation + Promotion

Australia is doubling down on:

Tech: Traceability tools, real-time export monitoring, ripening tech
Sustainability: IPM, better residue management, cold-chain improvements
Marketing: Trade events & in-store promos in Japan, Vietnam & the Philippines

📈 New patented varieties and smarter growing methods are driving Australia’s premium position in the global table grape market.

🔮 2025/26 Forecast: Optimism & Opportunity

Production expected to match or beat 2024/25
New vines maturing = higher volume
Strong demand in Asia & Middle East
El Niño-neutral weather may favour grape quality
Lower shipping costs = better returns
Growers ready to adapt with tech and agronomy

🌿 Plan Ahead with Grapecare: Gear Up for a Stronger 2025/26 Season

With new market opportunities and weather conditions still unpredictable, now’s the time to invest in vineyard performance.

At Grapecare, we support Australian table grape growers with tailored, practical solutions:

✅ Agronomy Consultations

Our vineyard experts work with growers to maximise yields, improve bunch quality, and prepare for export standards. From PGR strategies to precision irrigation advice — we’re here to help.

✅ Vineyard Structures & Covers

Whether you're protecting early-season fruit from frost or managing sunburn risk, our durable vineyard netting and covers are built for tough Aussie conditions.