The Aug. 13 report of the objective measurement survey, conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, forecast a 13-percent increase in raisin-grape production this year from last season. That includes a 19-percent increase in the 2015 bunch count compared to 2014.

“The raisin crop in some vineyards is quite strong this year,” Sahatdjian says. “Except for growers who might have jumped the gun, those who waited for readings of 20º to 22º Brix before harvesting, should have excellent quality raisins.”

As in a number of seasons over the past decade, some growers faced delays in getting their grapes picked due to smaller-than-desired labor crews. That was the case for Sahatdjian, who represents the fourth generation of his family to grow grapes. “We wanted to complete our hand picking by around Sept. 14,” he says. “But, because we didn’t have the number of workers we needed, our harvest dragged on another five or six days.”

In addition to concerns about availability of water to grow grapes over the long-term, Sahatdjian is concerned about the continuing decline in acreage of raisin-type vineyards in favor of less labor-intensive crops as another challenge for the industry.

The USDA-CDFA estimate bearing acreage of raisin-type grapes this year at 185,000. That compares to 242,000 acres 10 years ago.

“For the past several years, raisin growers have been pulling out about 5,000 to 7,000 acres annually in favor of tree nuts and other more profitable uses for their land,” he says. “Also, wineries bought very few Thompson Seedless grapes this year. More and more bulk juice is being imported, and that puts pressure on the remaining Thompson Seedless vineyards. The challenge for the industry will be to keep enough vines in the ground for a viable raisin market,” he says.

Meanwhile, growers and packers continue to negotiate a price for this year’s crop. Currently, they’re assessing how much the crop in Turkey, the main overseas competitor for California raisins, was affected by frost and hail damage this past spring.

“Last year, Turkish growers harvested a huge crop,” Sahatdjian says. “Currently, the international market for raisins is unsettled. Even though Turkey’s crop is reported to be smaller this year, that hasn’t been reflected in the market place yet.”