The 2017 plum campaign is about to start, so we can make an assessment of the past campaign. 2016 started off well: the red varieties went back to normal volumes after the lower quantities of 2015 and the sale of black varieties was smoother, just like that of Stanley.
In Emilia Romagna, volumes of the leading variety, Angeleno, were higher than in 2015, yet not as abundant as 2014. Good volumes were also harvested in Piedmont, where the lower yields were compensated for by the production from the new trees. In the south, availability was slightly lower than 2015.
The higher quantities available favoured shipments abroad. Over the last year, Italian plum exports grew by 26% compared to 2015, reaching a level more similar to the average of 2012/2014. With over 57,600 tons, volumes were the highest of the past few years, 2014 excluded. At over €51 million, the value only increased by 6% compared to 2015 as a consequence of the drop of average export prices (-16%, €0.89/kg on average).
Italian plums are mainly exported to the EU (77% of the total in 2016). The main outlet remains Germany (28%), absorbing higher volumes than in 2015. More produce was also shipped to the UK (from 13 to 15%), followed by Austria (6%). Shipments to Poland and Denmark increased by 5 and 4% respectively.
Outside the EU, exports were destined mainly to Middle Eastern countries (11% of the total in 2016). Most quantities were shipped to the United Arab Emirates (4%) and Saudi Arabia (3%). Extra EU28 countries absorbed 5% of the total in 2016, we are talking about Norway and Switzerland (3 and 2% respectively). Shipments to African countries dropped and the produce exported mainly reached Egypt.
In North America, where exports are entirely destined to Canada, there was a drop in shipments, which only amounted to 2% of the total (due to the change in phytosanitary regulations). Volumes destined to the Far East (India) increased, but volumes were still limited. In South America, Colombia received more produce from Brazil, which used to absorb larger quantities, but only chino-varieties can be shipped as of 2014.
Italy's main competitor is Spain, which handles double the quantities of Italian exports every year. The Netherlands, France and Hungary follow at a distance.
Romania, Serbia and Turkey did not export a lot of produce: respectively 500 tons of its 500,000 production, 33,000 tons of its 410,000 production and 25,000 tons of its 300,000 production.
Spain exports around 100,000 tons on average every year. Its main outlet market is Brazil, to which 17,500 tons were shipped in 2016. Germany occupied the second place with 17,000, followed by the UK with 15,000 tons and Portugal with 10,000 tons. Little over 6,300 tons are exported to Italy on average, though volumes dropped below 5,000 tons in 2016. Shipments towards faraway markets such as Canada, the Arab Emirates and India have increased over the past two years.
The Netherlands handles produce grown in South Africa and Chile, while lower quantities come from Spain. Plums are destined mainly to Germany and other EU countries.
France and Hungary export 14/15,000 and 11,000 tons respectively. The French produce is shipped mainly to Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, UK and Holland, while Hungarian fruit is destined mainly to Germany and the Czech Republic.
The plum domestic market is recovering: in 2016, retail purchases covered 64,400 tons, i.e. +7% compared to 2015 and +16% compared to ten years ago.
Per-capita consumption is rather low, little more than 1 kg a year. The penetration index is 62%, so there is room to grow.
Source: CSO for FreshPlaza