The sweet smell of Concord grapes usually signals harvest season in northwestern Pennsylvania. This year, however, many farmers are worried instead of celebrating. according to a story published in the Washington Post.
Mark Terrell owns a 200-acre vineyard near Lake Erie in North East, Pennsylvania. Normally, his equipment would be busy collecting grapes that would later become juice. Instead, much of his crop may never leave the vine after a major juice company canceled contracts with growers across the region.
Terrell says he has about 1,600 tons of grapes, or roughly 200 million individual grapes, with no buyer, the Post reported. The situation is affecting dozens of farmers in Pennsylvania and New York who depend on Concord grapes for their livelihoods.
The problem goes beyond one farm. Grape growers say demand for grape juice and wine has dropped in recent years as consumers choose different drinks and try to reduce sugar intake. Industry officials say Concord grape juice sales have fallen significantly during the past decade.
Farmers say they already spent thousands of dollars preparing their vineyards before learning their contracts would not continue. Some have laid off workers, while others are considering selling land or removing vineyards entirely.
Government officials have announced programs to buy some surplus grapes and juice, but farmers say the assistance covers only a small portion of the crop.
Researchers are exploring other possible uses for grapes, including compost, animal feed and food ingredients. Still, growers say those ideas won’t solve the immediate problem.
For Terrell, the issue is personal. With a young family to support, he worries about what happens if another harvest goes unsold.