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Published on June 16, 2025 in Fresh Plaza

Strategic restructuring unifies grape breeding program and global operations

ARRA Varieties was recently featured in Fresh Plaza Magazine. Click here to view the original article.

After years of collaboration and shared vision, the Karniel and Giumarra families have formally unified under one entity: Grapa Global LLC, operating under the newly formed Grapa Group. This strategic restructuring marks a natural next step in a long-standing partnership and sets in motion a five-year plan to accelerate the growth and innovation of the ARRA™ Breeding Program.

Now headquartered in California, Grapa Global has unified its breeding program, intellectual property portfolio, management, and commercialization efforts under one roof. This centralization enables greater efficiency, alignment, and focus across global operations. The newly formed board includes members of both the Giumarra and Karniel families, two lineages deeply rooted in agriculture and innovation. Rafi Karniel will lead the company as CEO.

“This isn’t just about growth, it’s about growing the right way, with our partners and licensees at the center of every decision,” said Rafi Karniel.

Strengthening global operations
Now active in 35 countries, the ARRA™ program is experiencing strong and sustained growth, driven by increasing global demand for its high-performance varieties. To support this ongoing expansion, Grapa is enhancing its technical support team to ensure that every grower in the program has the resources to succeed.

Resilience and innovation for a changing world
The ARRA program continues to gain traction worldwide, featuring a diverse range of varieties that offer strong commercial reliability, including genetic resilience, as well as early harvest timing. These traits are more than agronomic advantages; they are solutions for an increasingly disruptive world, where resilience and adaptability define success. With extreme weather, rising costs, and continued unpredictable logistical challenges, ARRA varieties help ensure food security, enabling growers to succeed across diverse regions.

A new category
Beyond its signature lines, the program is preparing to unveil a new grape category, combining exceptional crunch and standout flavor. This next-generation collection has already sparked strong global excitement.

Experience the future firsthand
To showcase the full ARRA™ portfolio, including new breakthroughs and proven performers, Grapa invites partners and industry professionals to join the 2025 California Field Days at its newly expanded 160-acre breeding site.

This exclusive event will offer a firsthand look at the innovations shaping the future of the table grape industry and how Grapa Global is positioning its partners for success in a rapidly evolving market.

  • Very Early and Early ARRA Varieties July 14–17
  • Full ARRA Range August 18–22

Don’t miss out on these other articles:

ARRA Cherry Crush™

The Crush Everyone’s talking about!

Tony Calvillo, Vice President of International Business Development, Dayka & Hackett LLC, shared: “Today, we visited the ARRA Cherry Crush—a grape variety that exceeds the expectations of growers, consumers, and retailers alike. We are thrilled to witness its remarkable potential. Boasting an alluring cherry colour, impressive size, abundant production, and a perfect balance of taste and crunch, ARRA Cherry Crush creates a mutually beneficial scenario for discerning producers, consumers, and retailers.”

ARRA Fire Crunch™

Igniting the senses

Just in time for the festive season, the inaugural batch of ARRA Fire Crunch™ made its way from Peru to the USA. Karl Conrads, founder, CEO of Grapasa accompanied the first year vines from budbreak all the way to Walmart facilities in Los Angeles.

Don’t miss the footage, showing this landmark arrival, now the sky’s the limit.

ARRA Passion Fire™

Sharing the passion – Right now in Southern Africa:

“It’s a great, beautiful grape, we are having a great time packing it.” shares Gabriel Viljoen of G.P. Viljoen Farming

We’ve heard other growers excited about this year’s performance.

“The ARRA Passion Fire was probably the most beautiful red grapes around on our farms.”

ARRA Fire Kiss™

Start the season with a Kiss

This year, attendees got a firsthand look at ARRA Fire Kiss™ in Egypt. What stood out was how distinctly different it was from the Flame, leaving no doubt that it is the perfect Flame replacement.