With over 40% of the Concord grapes destroyed by a severe frost/freeze in April, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball announced a crop loss determination to assist grape farmers. The designation allows farm wineries to use grapes grown outside of New York.

The declaration helps wineries maintain their licenses by permitting them to source out-of-state grapes if they can’t find enough local supply. Applications for this exemption are due by October 31, 2024, and a webinar will be held on September 10, 2024, to guide wineries through the process.

The USDA also declared 36 counties in New York as disaster areas, enabling affected farmers to apply for emergency loans. New York is the third largest grape producer and the third largest wine producer in the country, contributing $6.65 billion to the state economy. There are 471 wineries in New York, growing a variety of grapes on 35,000 acres.

Read more about the New York disaster declaration for Concord grapes here.