New York Concord Grape Growers Face Market Uncertainty

By Blake Jackson

Western New York’s Concord grape industry is facing a major challenge after Refresco unexpectedly ended contracts with about 126 growers in New York.

The cancellations came after farmers had already spent money preparing their vineyards for the 2026 growing season, leaving many without a dependable market for their crops.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer visited Cornell’s Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory and urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase Concord grape juice for domestic nutrition programs.

Senator Schumer said a USDA purchase could help absorb excess production, provide immediate financial relief and give growers greater certainty.

“Upstate New York is known for the top-notch quality of our Concord grapes, which are made into everything from juices to jellies and are an important part of our state’s agricultural economy. But earlier this year, on top of skyrocketing costs, many Western New York farmers had their Concord grape contracts cancelled by Refresco, leaving growers in a lurch and without the certainty they rely on to know they’ll have a market for their harvest,” said Senator Schumer.

“That’s why I’m calling on the USDA to buy Concord grape juice for domestic nutrition programs and boost our growers because when the farmers who feed our families need help from forces beyond their control, we need to act. I’ve worked with USDA on surplus grape purchases before, and I’m urging the USDA to again provide certainty to Upstate farmers, put American-grown grapes to good use, and strengthen the domestic food supply chain we all depend on. It’s a win-win-win,” Schumer added.

Chautauqua County remains New York’s largest grape-producing county and is the biggest grape-growing county in the United States outside California.

Roughly 800 growers cultivate at least 150,000 tons of grapes annually across more than 22,000 acres along the Lake Erie Plain. The regional industry supports about 2,000 jobs and generates more than $300 million in economic activity.

Sam Filler, executive director of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, said emergency assistance is important but emphasized the need for long-term planning to strengthen the industry.

USDA’s Section 32 program has previously been used to purchase agricultural products for nutrition programs and stabilize markets. Concord grape purchases occurred in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2024.

Schumer is asking the USDA to use the program again while growers contend with higher production expenses, including sharply increased fuel costs.

Photo Credit: istock-jimfeng