Italy: Fruit and vegetable sales affected by the crisis even during summer

The cities empty and the shops close - the holidays have finally arrived. Fruit and vegetable purchases also halt, but for a totally different reason.

"The problem is the crisis. Not only that - there is a lot of produce on the market and the season has been far from normal, so there were a lot of overlaps. I would say that there will be a 20-25% drop in negotiations. The fact is that retailers in holiday areas manage to get what they need from the local markets and thus don't need produce from Bologna."

As supply increased, prices were affected. "I have never seen such low prices. Peaches, nectarines, watermelons and melons sell at less than €1/kg."

There are some exceptions, as "strawberries, cherries and apricots are counter-trending, but that is only because the harvesting season has ended. Prices can reach €1.30-1.50 for good quality stored produce."

"We have never seen such a cold summer. Volumes and prices have dropped considerably and demand is really low," explains Leonardo Cervellati from Cervellati srl. The produce is indeed available, but consumers tend to prefer other types of fruit.

Daniel Gobbi from Gobbi Frutta srl says that "it's quite simple, the season is not good. Consumers are not buying summer fruit but there is plenty of produce, so prices drop. Apricots are the only ones doing well, with higher prices."

For further info:
Cazzola F.lli & c. srl
Via Pietro Canali, 1 – Bologna (BO) c/o Caab
Tel.: (+39) 051/2861121
Fax: (+39) 051/2861145
Email: pierpaolo.cazzola@libero.it

Cervellati srl
Via Pietro Canali, 1 – Bologna (BO) c/o Caab
Tel.: (+39) 051/2861206
Fax: (+39) 051/2861230
Email: info@cervellatisrl.it

Gobbi Frutta srl
Via Dismano, 4355 - Pievesestina di Cesena (FC) c/o mercato ortofrutticolo
Tel.: (+39) 0547/419747
Fax: (+39) 0547/419761
Email: gobbifrutta@gobbifrutta.com
Web: www.gobbifrutta.it