Counterseasonal table grape prices are high due to the lack of produce. "It happened because the South African season ended early," explains Andrea Peviani from Peviani Spa. The company supplies retailers with Italian grapes between July and December and imported grapes during the rest of the year.
For what concerns India, "we have started with the first containers from India years ago. Producers use cutting-edge cultivation and management techniques, so the produce complies with European standards. The table grape market is evolving, as people buy this fruit 12 months a year. New varieties are being developed all over the world, so consumers will have them available throughout the year."
Sophia table grapes, one of the varieties sold by Peviani.
But with all these changes, what is the situation in Italy? The produce is available between July and December on the domestic market, but it is only available abroad between August and November. During this period, we have to compete with Spain, which has a few strategic advantages as its produce ripens earlier and labour costs are lower. The quality however is not the same, and luckily customers are noticing it."
Despite this, "the future is not looking good and, to survive with dignity, Italian produce must conquer new markets and strengthen its presence on the most important ones. Table grapes require huge investments, a lot of energy and numerous operators. Investments have strongly diminished in the past ten years and are only aimed at new seedless varieties, which seem to offer the best perspectives. The next five years will be critical and we hope we can find interesting varieties that are resistant to the humidity and rain that characterise our autumn season, especially since it is the period when Italian produce sells well even on the international market."
"We are growing fast and have a great collection of varieties. We always test the new cultivars, especially since we believe the future will be based on varieties, quality and continuity."
Contacts:
Peviani S.p.a.
Viale Lombardia, 7/9
27010 Siziano (PV) – Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0382 678 511
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.peviani.it
Author: Andrea Minghelli
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it
