Once again, in 2016, producers obtained a discrete GSP (gross saleable production), though there were a few areas where there was a 30% drop due to the bad weather. Prices remained good.
"We can't complain. We also sell table grapes and the quality was excellent, except in the areas hit by hailstorms. Quantities were average, maybe a little lower than usual. I would like to stress, however, that we focus on quality - we are not interested in growing big volumes because then our produce would not stand out," explains Mauro Lopopolo from L'Orto di Aurora (Puglia).
Lopopolo (on left in the photo) complains about the fact that producers are not organised in Puglia. "We also lack a processing industry that can collect our product and guarantee returns even for fruit such as hail-damaged apricots. It would be ideal in years like these. Of course we can't complain this year because quotations were above €1 in some periods, but we must remain vigilant."
Alessia Alboresi from Agricor (Calabria) confirms the 30% drops due to the weather. "It is a pity because otherwise it would have been a wonderful year. Quality was excellent and we worked well with retailers. We generally deliver our produce to domestic retailers, but some of it also goes to a few chains in Austria and Germany."
Agrintesa director Cristian Moretti reports collecting "5,200 tons of produce. The campaign started on 20th May and is ending now. Quantities were lower than they could have been but they were satisfactory nonetheless. Quality was also excellent, so much so that the market responded well. The late varieties are also doing great."
In Romagna, the leading apricot producer was it by the hailstorms. "Our 250 hectares were hit twice, so I cannot give a proper assessment. I can only say that, during a normal year, our fruit is usually favoured by the market," explains Massimilano Benvenuti from Albisole.
Albisole has just completed the construction of a modern processing facility in Forlì, which will become operational at the start of next season.
