"I feel people are rather more optimistic, maybe because data showed that there are signs of recovery, maybe because once you hit rock bottom the only way is up. The Russian ban did affect the 2014/15 campaign a lot, but all it would take to improve the situation is a freeze or less fruit arriving from the Southern hemisphere."
Josef Wielander, director of VI.P..
"Daily sales are rather normal, what is worrying is the fact that sale prices are lower than production costs, and there is nothing we can do about it in the short term."
2014 quantities were 5% lower than expected, yet 3% bigger than the previous year. "What will really make a difference is the quality of stocks. Mild weather and no rain during harvesting means quality will be good."
Markets
"Italy and Spain are our main markets but it is important to diversify. That is why we must look at new destinations such as the Middle East and North Africa despite the fact that they are rather unstable. We need to remember though, that competition is everywhere, so we need to have better quality."