The sales of Italian grapes have been more difficult recently than in the past few weeks. "We had a very good start, but at the moment the market is a bit calmer," says Lucien de Wit of Sous Fresh. Yet he remains optimistic about the course of the market. "The necessary retail offers are in the offing. But the month of August is usually more difficult for the grapes. We often see a revival in mid September. People are finished with the summer fruit then and want grapes back."
"As far as quality is concerned the season from Sicily is excellent. The quality of the Red Globe this year is also strikingly good. The Victoria grapes from Puglia do show a little damage after the heavy rainfall at the start of August. Especially Paleria was mostly lost and the Victoria season also ended two weeks earlier because many grapes didn't survive due to a high cell pressure. With the Italia grapes there is currently only damage among the 'open field grapes', but they never come to Sous Fresh," says the importer.
"Spain and Greece are the other grape suppliers at the moment. The Greek Victorias are in the way of the Italian Victoria, but this season is now coming to a close. We have been in the Italia season for a week or two now and those grapes seem to be good quality. The price level of the Italias is between 8 and 11.50 Euro, which is actually too low, but I expect a revival over the next few weeks. However, in recent years we have had so much extreme weather in September and October, that we are always careful."
For more information:
Lucien de Wit
Sous Fresh B.V.
Venrayseweg 122D
5928 RH Venlo
T +31 77 3230225
F +31 77 3230299
l.dewit@sousfresh.com
www.sousfresh.com