"Sonora Grapes Deliver More than Sweet Taste"... say the advertising...

May arrive, the customers arround the world are clamoring for delicious grapes with fresh fl avor that only comes from new, just picked crops. Everybody who wants to be fi rst with profi ts in the grape market, look to Mexico, June and July.

The Sonoran, Hermosillo and Caborca growers and their U.S.-based marketing offices have teamed up to ensure your customer’s favorite Spring grape varieties are harvested, packed and shipped, on time with the outmost care.

The Sonoran young industry’s growth benefi ts you. During the past few seasons, Sonora Grape shipments to the U.S. have reached 15 million boxes, with an average of 12 to 13 million during May-July. Additionally, the producers have recently expanded their land and resources to increase volume during critical weeks when no other fresh
grapes are available.

Eating grapes often is a smart health move.

People think of grapes as a fun snack or kids’food, but everyone benefi ts from the nutritional qualities.

One serving of grapes (1 cup) provides:
• 25% of the daily requirement of Vitamin C
• And serves as a source of fi ber, Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron.

Resveratrol, found primarily in the skin of grapes, has been found, in preliminary studies, to fi ght breast, liver and colon
cancer. As well, resveratrol is believed to help heart disease.

Sonoran Popular Varieties
Beginning in early May, retailers can expect a steady supply of freshest, most fl avorful grapes of the season from Sonora. Zesty Perlettes typically kick off the season in time for Memorial Day promotions, followed by the famous Flames.

Sonora’s fastest-growing variety, Sugraone, is a dependable midseason salesdriver, while our glorious Globes round out the season.

Top Quality
* High technology and new production systems in vineyards, along with good climate conditions allow for the production of table grapes with an excellent fl avor and appearance.

* Sonora Grape Growers commitment to the customer’s needs is proven everyday of the season through a variety of custom packs.

* One hundred percent of the shipments to the United States are inspected by the USDA and must be at least as US#1 to fulfi ll the required minimum standard of quality. Fruit is inspected and graded for sugar levels, color, cluster size, berry size, and defects.

* The Spring Table Grape produced in Sonora, Mexico normally exceeds the minimum standards of quality (US#1). In an average year, over 75% of Sonora spring Table Grapes are graded “US Fancy”.

The effort and care of the growers has led to Sonora Spring Table Grape being preferred in the most demanding markets of the world including the USA, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Packed to customer specifications Safety Assurance • One hundred percent of the Sonora table grape vineyards are certifi ed in “Good Agricultural Practices” by highly recognized international laboratories including Primus Labs, Scientifi c certifi cation Systems. And CIAD. • Sonora vineyards are irrigated with water from deep wells of depths
from 400 to 1200 feet to assure excellent water purity. The United States Food and Drug Administration continuously inspects and tests our shipments at rates well above those for U.S. producers to ensure that table grapes comply with all FDA microbial and chemical regulations.

• Sonora grapes must comply with strict U.S. food safety regulations, phytosanitary regulations, and quality restrictions.

• Table grapes for export from Mexico are produced in only two regions in Sonora that are isolated from other growing regions in the rest of Mexico and the United States by large mountains, deserts, and seas. This isolation means that there are fewer pests, allowing for signifi cantly reduced use of pesticides.

• The limited production regions also allow the industry great coordination to establish and produce according to “Good Agricultural Practices” and the highest of quality standards.

• Sonoran Grape producers commitment to the consumer and to food safety can be seen in quality grapes that are handpicked and trimmed, fi eld-packed and cooled by trained workers at all levels including production, harvesting, packing, processing, and distribution.

First Mexican produce exporter to launch category Sonora Grapes is Mexico’s #1 fruit exported to the U.S., yet this innovative industry has not rested on its laurels. With recent record shipments to North America and other countries totaling over 20.5 million boxes, our commitment to helping retailers move this expanded volume has likewise increased.

In response to retailer request for Category Management support, Sonora grape growers and distributors united in 2003 to develop an industry-fi rst look at specifi c consumer grape behavior in grape purchasing.

Using leading consumer panel data and analysis by renowned industry experts1, specifi c fi ndings highlight “best customers” for the category. Regional reviews ensure retailer relevance, while Hispanic and Asian interviews capture growing segments of grape customers. In all, the Sonora Grape category study provides valuable procurement, assortment, pricing and merchandising recommendations for shippers and receivers alike.

Sonora grape growers comprehensive marketing program also includes promotions to increase category sales, such as ads, demos and volume incentives. Publicity features in leading trade publications the Packer, Produce News, Produce Business, Fresh Produce Digest, among others, support this effort and ensures receivers stay atop crop and marketing developments.

Standard of excellence relies on partnerships
These activities –together with superior safety and sanitation initiatives- have earned Sonora Grapes the coveted standard of excellence from the Mexican Government: “Mexico Calidad Suprema”. Moreover, our program has earned the fi nancial support of the Mexican Agricultural Agency (ASERCA).

We also rely on partnership with the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, Nogales, and their Arizona-based distributor members to enhance our retail outreach. Through win-win partnerships with industry and retailers, the Sonora Spring Grape program continues to exceed expectations season after season.

Study executed by Vanguard Marketing Strategies, LLC in partnership with Richard Spezzano, Michael Heft and Grace Ho.