Epistemix, a computational modeling software company that develops simulations to model the spread of diseases and inform policy, today released updated data that projects the risk of COVID transmission during the January 25-27 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium at a rate of 1 case per 10,000 of its 12,000-person conference. “Creating a controlled environment is crucial for conferences like the …

Argentina’s raisin production is forecast to remain stable in MY 2021/22 at 44,500 metric tons (MT). Exports are forecast at 39,000 MT, though exporters struggle to remain competitive in international markets due to various economic factors, such as high inflation and an unstable exchange rate. The COVID-19 pandemic created a slight increase in domestic consumption, as Argentinians prepared more at-home …

Australia’s table grape production is expected to increase to 210,000 MT in marketing year (MY) 2021/22, from an estimated 200,000 metric tons (MT) in MY 2020/21. Despite expanded vine plantings in recent years now coming into fruiting, production has remained relatively flat since MY 2019/20. Reduced labor availability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has not only impacted production but also …

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and Upper Salinas Las Tablas RCD is working with a team of California soil scientists and extension agents (Dr. Cristina Lazcano, Dr. Kerri Steenwerth, Dr. Charlotte Decock, Mark Battany and others) to study soil health, and the potential for carbon sequestration in vineyard soils of Paso Robles. Our goals include developing real metrics for what a “healthy soil” is for …

China’s raisin production is forecast at 180,000 MT in MY2021/22, a rebound of 20 percent from a failed crop in the previous year due to Covid-19 outbreaks in Xinjiang that prevented harvest and processing. Raisin imports are expected to improve to 23,000 MT in MY2021/22 as domestic consumption recovers, especially in the food processing sector. China’s raisin export market remains …

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service forecasts that South African raisin production will rebound to normal levels and increase by 19 percent to 85,000 Metric Tons (MT) in the 2021/22 Market Year (MY), based on normal weather conditions, an increase in area planted, new orchards coming into full production, an improvement in yields due to new varieties and production practices, wine …

Oregon Wine Research Institute — In recent weeks, many have read business and industry-oriented news articles about the “important lessons learned” for business managers as we look back at the past 14 months and how the COVID-19 pandemic upended so much of our lives. One of the recurring topics in these articles has revolved around the idea of “risk management.” Of course, …

In 2019, Russia was the world’s ninth largest importer of wine in both volume and value. However, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture is focused on making wine production one of the key branches of agriculture in the country. While domestic wine production is growing, so have wine imports. In 2020, an increase in excise taxes, a decrease in real incomes, …

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new …

As efforts to vaccinate essential agricultural and production workers struggle to proceed throughout California and the nation, Sonoma County’s farmers, vintners and health communities have been successfully partnering to get thousands of COVID-19 vaccination doses to these essential workers throughout the region. Now entering its 5th week of operation, the program has already vaccinated and scheduled vaccination appointments for more …