Chilean grapes

From The Packer's Andy Nelson, coverage from the Feb. 11 issue on the mix of Chilean grape imports:

With sluggish markets the past few seasons combined with higher production costs and an unfavorable exchange rate, Chilean growers are looking for ways to shake up the grape industry. One way is to make changes to their variety mixes, shippers and importers said.
At both ends of the supply chain -- growers at one end, consumers at the other -- Chilean green grapes continue to fall out of favor and Chilean seedless reds are riding high, said Anthony Stetson, vice president of sales for Pandol Bros. Inc., Delano, Calif.
"Green grapes are just a lot harder to grow and ship successfully, and consumer demand has gone toward reds -- both retail and foodservice," he said. "I don't know of any new green seedless varieties that are in play."
Flames, crimsons and other red seedless varieties continue to ship in larger volumes from Chile, with green seedless varieties on the decline, said Josh Leichter, grape category manager in the Newark, Del., office of Vancouver, British Columbia-based The Oppenheimer Group.
Crimsons, Leichter said, are the real stars.
"When you talk to growers, it seems like crimsons make up maybe 70% of new plantings," he said. "They're hardy, and they have good yields."