As demonstrated by the data collected by CSO-Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli di Ferrara concerning stocks in the Emilia-Romagna warehouses in early March, Abate Fetel sales are proceeding well during the current 2015-2016 campaign.
As pointed out multiple times, it is not worth comparing this campaign with 2014/15 because that year had been characterised by exceptionally active sales.
If we compare the data with the 2013/14 campaign instead, we can see how this year's stocks are 1% lower for a total of around 57,000 tons.
After the recovery started during the Christmas period, sales continued to grow and peaked during the second half of February.
The sales percentage in late February is 78% of the total harvest in Emilia Romagna against last year's 81% and 75% of the 2013/14 campaign.
In addition, people have been more interested in smaller grades.
For what concerns Europe, the latest data released in early February showed lower stocks in France and Germany too - -24 and 4% respectively with respect to last year. In Catalonia, hail reduced quantities.
The situation is completely different in Belgium and the Netherlands, where stocks in late February were larger by 14 and 4% respectively.
Belgian and Dutch Conference pears, which are supplied at lower prices, are still available on the markets - in early February, 49% of harvested Conference volumes had been sold against the 55% of the previous year. The same applies to the Netherlands, where sales reached 52% against the 55% of the previous campaign.
South African production is 1% lower than 2015 and Argentina has produced the lowest volume of the past few years.
The situation seems therefore positive for Italian Abate pears, whose prices are better than last year especially for what concerns big grades.
Source: CSO for FreshPlaza
