"Sales have not increased with respect to last year and, in addition, we are finding it difficult to source the produce, as only avocados from South Africa are arriving to Europe."
According to the manager, this is driving prices up. "It would be the perfect moment to promote the Hass variety, which is much nicer and cheaper. At the moment, great quantities are available from Peru."
Pinkerton avocados.
Unfortunately, almost only green avocados (i.e. Pinkerton or Arad) are selling, as aesthetics wins over substance. Hass are not favoured by the brown colour of their skin when they're ripe. "This means we put both green unripe and brown ripe Hass avocados on the market."
As regards the trade of ready-to-eat exotic fruit in Italy, Claudio Gorini says that "I have tried selling ready-to-eat mangos, but response was negative because clients are looking for the produce transported by air, as the taste is better than that transported by sea and ripened in units."
Contatcts:
AL.MA. s.r.l.
Via Lombroso, 54
20137 Milano
Tel.: (+39) 02 5510622
Fax: (+39) 02 55195646
Email: almafrutta@tin.it
Web: www.almafrutta.it