The Italian grape season started early and well this season. "The Peruvian and Chilean season was over quickly and the Egyptian season also ended quickly due to the high temperatures, which meant that Italy and Spain started on an empty market. This week we started with the seedless grapes," says Bertus Schipper of Zoutewelle. The importer is offering the Black Magic, Sugraone, Thompson Seedless and Victoria grapes from Italy at the moment, followed quickly by Red Globe, Palieri and Italia.
"At the moment the supply of grapes isn't that big yet. Spain is offering some white seedless grapes, but hardly any red grapes. This is resulting in a good price level. At the moment the luxury grapes from Italy are being sold for 18 Euro (7 kg) and the standard packagings for 2 Euro per kilo. I expect the price level to hold up for a while. It's an art to find the grapes early in the season with a good colour and a good brix level.
Bertus Schipper, Arjan Zoutewelle and Francesco Lozupone
"In Italy there is a clear switch to seedless grapes. At the moment 30% is seedless, but the cultivation will move to 70% seedless in five years due to replaced cultivation. The newest good red seedless grapes are also becoming more available. Every producer is looking for the best seedless varieties, driven by the demand from the retail. Because we also serve the specialist wholesalers and ethnic markets, the seeded grapes remain an important item for us," concludes Bertus. Zoutewelle offers the Italian grapes under the end of Decembers and receives fresh supply every day.
For more information:
Bertus Schipper
Zoutewelle
Handelsweg 140
2988 DC Ridderkerk
T: +31 (0)180 642364
bertus.schipper@zoutewelle.com
www.zoutewelle.com
Zoutewelle
Handelsweg 140
2988 DC Ridderkerk
T: +31 (0)180 642364
bertus.schipper@zoutewelle.com
www.zoutewelle.com