2011 Grape Crush Report: Fewer Grapes, Higher Prices

The United States Department of Agriculture reported in its preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2011:

• 3,869,894 tons of grapes were crushed last year (3 percent less than the amount crushed in 2010)

• Reds outnumbered whites (1,917,132, to1,425,557 tons); both down 7% from 2010

• Average price "reached a record high of $588.96 (a ton)," - up 8% from 2010 price and up 3% from the previous record set in 2009.

• Average price for red wine grapes was $702.70, up 12 percent; white wine grapes $541.11, up 8 percent; raisin grapes $265.15, up 23 percent; table grapes $219.20, up 26 percent.

• Top varieties: Chardonnay (14.4%), followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (9.9%). Thompson Seedless, the leading raisin grape variety crushed, accounted for 8.4 percent. (This is what's in the Green Fin organic label found at Trader Joe's).

• Fresno, Madera, Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties (and Kings and Tulare counties) was the largest producer at 1,494,796 tons. 

The full report has some nice graphs and many more facts. Read it here.

Unfortunately, it does not provide any breakdowns of organic viticulture.