Grape vineyards are pictured in the Westfield area.

Grape growers in Chautauqua County have been struggling, especially after Refresco canceled all contracts with grape growers earlier this year. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Lake Erie Regional Grape Program has been helping growers since then, and are continuing to work to provide resources looking forward towards this year’s grape crop.

“The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program has been providing available resources to help growers make the best possible management decisions both financially and in the vineyard,” Andrew Holden, LERGP Business Management Extension Educator said. “We are assisting some growers with planning minimum maintenance strategies that keep inputs to a minimum. Other growers are weighing their options of waiting out the downturn in the market or utilizing their farms in other ways. As each farm’s situation is different, the way they handle the loss of contracts and the resources we offer will be dependent on their unique circumstances.”

In March Refresco, a major processor for many farmers, announced through letters it was cancelling all of its contracts with grape growers. Refresco had been one of the processors for many in the local Lake Erie region, buying from 126 growers and 2,600 acres of grapes in both New York and Pennsylvania.

Looking toward an increasingly uncertain future has been a focus for LERGP since post-harvest 2025 when the group’s industry processor group, growers, NY Farm Bureau representatives and research colleagues held a meeting with Sam Filler, New York Wine and Grape Foundation Industry president. At the meeting they discussed the structural challenges facing the Concord and Niagara juice sector and the need of a coordinated, data-driven strategic framework moving forward, also mobilizing to address the downturn of the grape industry and how to plan for the future.

On July 2, it was announced in Pennsylvania that Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration is investing $500,000 to help purchase and process Erie area grapes and to provide fresh juice to local foodbanks through the Pennsylvania Agriculture Surplus System. According to a press release, the funding will be for an emergency purchase, process, and transport of 350 tons of grapes from 11 Erie-area growers who were affected by Refresco’s unexpected contract cancellations back in March. The grapes will be made into juice concentrate and distributed to Feeding Pennsylvania-member foodbanks through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System. PASS dollars will fund the purchase of concord grapes from 11 Pennsylvania growers for processing by New York-based CK Natural into 100 percent juice concentrate for distribution at Feeding Pennsylvania foodbanks across Pennsylvania. Concentrate, which is less expensive to transport, will yield three 64-ounce bottles of juice from each quart. The concentrate will be pasteurized, with no additives, for a natural source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Holden said he has not heard of any similar announcements coming from New York State, but added that discussions are continuing between grape growers and elected officials. Additionally, he said it is not only the loss of contracts with Refresco that are currently causing struggles for grape growers.

“The grape industry as a whole is struggling globally,” Holden said. “Low demand and high production, paired with high input cost have caused low prices for most growers. Increases in grape and wine products will be needed to help bring back prices and keep our region’s grape industry healthy.”