USDA/FAS reports that excessive rains hit Chile earlier this year and damaged a wide swath of that country’s grape crop. What is notable is the concentration of global grape trade by some of the world’s smaller producers of grapes. Six countries (Chile, Peru, South Africa, United States, Mexico, and Australia) that fall into the category of so-called New World suppliers of grapes and grape products represent just 12.6 percent of global production. Yet those same six countries fulfill 58 percent of all global grape trade.  Disparate dominance between production and exports is not unique. China is the largest producer but has 18 percent of the world’s consumers. Chile typically has a perfect climate for grape productio...

TAGS – China, Europe, North America, South America, Macroeconomics