Davide Ferraresso.
DUE ERRE is located at the Padua fresh produce market and has offices and areas equipped for the handling and stocking of perishable products. The company imports produce directly from production areas to all European countries.
DUE ERRE at Padua's fresh produce market.
Among the exotic and counterseasonal products handled by DUE ERRE (for a total value of €10-12 million a year) there are bananas, pineapples, mangos, avocados, limes, table grapes and soft fruit.
"Prices are quite high - avocado supplies from Israel have been compromised by problems during summer, the volumes of South African table grapes were lower than usual and there are not many pineapples because of scarce blossoming. Even the volumes of Mexican limes are low and we are expecting a three-week gap for soft fruit (blueberries and raspberries)."
"The prices of South African table grapes are dictated by the markets in Northern Europe because they are the main buyers. We get our supplies from the Netherlands, which means prices are even higher when the produce gets to Italy. That is why domestic consumption is low - especially for white seedless gapes."
For what concerns pineapples, quantities from Costa Rica are 50% less than last year. "We are importing produce from Santo Domingo, like every year. It comes in by air, so freshness and aroma are really high compared to the fruit coming in by sea."
That is also why DUE ERRE wanted an aeroplane on its packaging - while it is true that this way prices are higher, buyers know they will enjoy fruit which has reached the perfect ripening stage. "Tropical products are not among the basic products people purchase, they are a treat. That is why they need to be good!"
Last but not least, for what concerns soft fruit, Davide hopes to reach Easter with better volumes. "The blueberry season has ended in Chile and Morocco is starting off slowly. Raspberry supplies from Spain has been delayed by frost and Morocco has yet to start. We are expecting a three-week gap and we should be back to normal in a month or so."
Contacts:
DUE ERRE s.a.s. di Zanotto R. & C. Import
Corso Stati Uniti, 50
35129 Padova
Tel.: +39 049 8701522
Email: [email protected]
Author: Rossella Gigli
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it
