Production estimates for 2013 show a domestic supply of 7.8 million tons of produce, 3% more than 2012. Ismea stated that this number was due to an increase in the production of apples, pears, kiwis, melons and cherries.
Apple production in 2013 increased by 9% with respect to the previous year, although it did not affect much of the fresh market because a lot of produce was destined to the processing industry. In Alto Adige, the region that produces around half of the apples grown in Italy, the increase has been of 16% and Trentino also did well. All these numbers are less staggering though if compared to the longer 2010-2012 period.
Italian fruit stocks on 31st December(thousands of tons)
Apple production grew also in Emilia-Romagna (+28%) and Veneto (+1%), whereas Piedmont once again did not do very well (-1%). Golden Delicious is the most popular variety (+6.7%), followed by Gala (+5.1%), Red Delicious (+16%) and Fuji (+29%). There were also more Granny Smith (+25%), Cripps Pink (+4%) and Annurca (+14%) apples available.
As regards pears, Emilia-Romagna (+19%) and Piedmont (+21%) both increased their production. The supply of Abate Fetel increased by 18% and that of William and Kaiser increased by 5% and 45% respectively.
The increase in kiwi production was of 6.3% with respect to 2012, but the figure actually rises to 8% if we consider the produce above 65 grams. This is mainly due to the fact that Piedmont, Lazio and Emilia-Romagna started re-growing this fruit.
Production in Veneto though dropped by 40% because of the Psa and root asphyxia and, in general, there are less orchards due to the uprooting and pollarding caused by the Psa.
Italian fruit production (thousands of tons)
In 2013, the increase in fruit production had a direct effect on the 2013/14 campaign. In December 2013, there were still 1.9 million tons of apples, pears and kiwis stocked, 19% more than the previous year. Despite this, the market has not been affected because the produce can also be sold abroad.
Output prices
During the last quarter of 2013, output prices were slightly better. The fact that they were lower than the same period in 2012 was due to a decrease in the price of pears and table grapes.
Fresh fruit output prices (2000=100)
Prices of table grapes dropped during the last quarter of 2013 because of quality problems and only selected high-quality goods managed to sell.
As regards pears, the drop in price was due to an increase in supply. Only the special offers carried out by retailers brought new life to the market.
Average output prices of the main species/varieties of fresh fruit (Euro/kg) - Click here to enlarge
Things were completely different for kiwis and table apples. The increase in production was in fact not met by a drop in prices, but rather increased slightly. Kiwis in particulars were favoured by the early ending of the campaign in New Zealand and Greece. As regards apples, the fact that less produce of larger size was available, led to an increase in prices.