DiBuduo said that no price has yet been set for green Thompson Seedless grapes, a raisin variety that is also used in concentrate, alcohol, and dry white wine. He said during his tenure with Allied that he has seen prices grow from $65 to $320 a ton for Thompson Seedless.

But he is frustrated that this year dehydrators are offering to buy grapes at under $200 a ton.

“That’s a tragedy,” he said, urging growers not to sell at that price.

Raisin crop insurance 

DiBuduo urged growers to buy raisin crop insurance before the July 31 deadline and to buy raisin paper “just in case, while we do everything possible to market grapes.

“We did not tell you to make raisins, but we did say, ‘Get prepared.’”

Many Thompson Seedless growers have pulled out vines or are selling their vineyards, DiBuduo says. He estimates about 10,000 acres have been pulled since last year’s harvest.