Overview

Raisins are dried grapes. Their name derives from the Latin word racemes, which means "a cluster of grapes or berries." Grape growing (virticulture) appears to have started around 600 BC in present day Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and it is reasonable to assume that dried grapes were consumed from early days.

Raisins are the most popular dried fruit in the United States, accounting for about two-thirds of total dried fruit consumption (ERS). Raisins are primarily produced in California’s San Joaquin Valley and are sun dried. In 2008, over 5.0 billion pounds of raisin-type grapes were produced.  October 2009 . . . Raisins

 

Other Links

• American Society for Enology & Viticulture, Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California-Davis - This society of wine and grape professionals promotes the industry through information, research and education.
• American Vineyard Foundation - This California-based organization funds research in viticulture and enology.
• California Raisin Marketing Board, Fresno, California.
• China Agricultural Data, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2001 - Information on production, cost of production and trade.
• Department of Viticulture & Enology, University of California-Davis.
• Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA, 2008.
• Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2009.
• Fruit and Tree Nuts Situation and Outlook Yearbook 2008, ERS, USDA, 2008.
• Grape, Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center, University of California-Davis - This Web site provides links to other related resources.
• National Raisin Company, Fowler, California - This company is one of the largest independent raisin processors. The company works with an organic grower group in the production of Bonner Organic Raisins.
• Northern Vineyards Winery, Illinois Value-Added Rural Development Center, 2001 - This is a case study on the formation and progress of a New Generation Cooperative in Minnesota.
• PlantFacts, Ohio State University - This Web site provides a full-text search engine of all extension and academic department information from all land-grant universities in the United States. Additionally, there are significant image and video databases, an FAQ database and a glossary.
• Raisin Administrative Committee - Raising production and distribution data is listed under the Marketing Policy link. From the Packers link, a list of California raisin packers is provided.
• Raisins: World Markets and Trade, Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA, 2009.
• Sample Costs to Establish a Vineyard and Produce Dried on Vine Raisins, San Joaquin Valley, University of California-Davis, 2003.
• Sun-Maid Growers of California - This coop has about 1,000 grape raisin growers. Sun-Maid is one of the most recognized trademarks in today's crowded marketplace. Consumers associate the brand with natural and nutritious dried fruit products.
• Sun-Maid, Kingsburg, California  - Sun-Maid is a grower-owned cooperative that was formed in 1912. It owns a 130-acre processing facility. The Web site also markets gift packs, specialty items and bulk items from the Growers Store.
• U.S. Trade Internet System, FASonline, USDA.
• Viticulture and Enology Research Center, California State University, Fresno.
• What Forces Are Driving Cooperatives to Restructure?, Sun-Maid Growers, California, 2003 - This document, written by the president of Sun-Maid Growers, provides a perspective on the challenges being faced by a food-marketing co-op.

Links checked May 2009.