The downfall of Thompson Seedless in Chile
Once representing half of the table grape crop a decade ago, this classic white, seedless grape is losing share in the fields and in exports. Experts and producers say it is undergoing a slow but inevitable replacement by new varieties with lower operating costs and higher yields and calibres.
Thompson Seedless is in jeopardy. This varietal, which was even called 'the queen of varieties' because of its dominant position among Chilean growers, is tending to disappear from Chilean farms. Its high production costs, due to the 'craftsmanship' work required by the bunches in the vineyard and in the packing, have opened a competitive flank in the face of the irruption of new varieties. Added to this is the reduced competitiveness of their yield per hectare and the small size of their fru...
