Agrícola Pampa Baja reports early grape harvest in southern Peru

The 2026 grape season in southern Peru is progressing ahead of schedule, with Agrícola Pampa Baja reporting that harvests in the Majes region of Arequipa are starting approximately one week earlier than usual.

Juan Carlos Paredes, director of Agrícola Pampa Baja, stated that the company expects to conclude the season with 1.7 million cartons of grapes. This output is supported by the completion of a varietal renewal across 450 hectares, including new plantings of varieties such as Autumn Crisp, Sweet Globe, and Ivory. The company notes that the temperature fluctuations in Arequipa contribute to high-quality fruit with good sugar content suitable for long-distance transport.

Market dynamics are expected to favor Peruvian exports, as high temperatures in California have caused an earlier end to their season, and El Niño has negatively impacted grape varieties in the Piura region. Two-thirds of the company's production is destined for the United States, while one-third is headed to Asia. To strengthen its presence in the Asian market, the company is sending a delegation to a trade fair in Hong Kong.