The Italian grape season started for Zoutewelle last week. “Volumes are still limited. Blue grapes will arrive on a completely empty market. There are still some overseas white seeded grapes of lesser quality on the market,” says Bertus Schipper. The importer currently offers Black Magic and Victoria grapes.
“The grape market is quite good, especially for seeded varieties, which are selling for 10-11 euro (4.5 kg), while the Italian are sold for 3 to 4 euro per kilogram. That is a matter of quality,” the importer says. “We are now at the start of the season, and grapes are sent daily, so prices will decrease somewhat, but I expect this to be gradual.”
Zoutewelle mainly focuses on exports with the grape sales. “In the Netherlands, you see grape sales are mostly focused on the sales of seedless grapes to retail. Because we also serve specialist wholesalers and ethnic markets, seeded grapes remain an important item for our export customers. However, Italian growers are working on developing varieties. This is stimulated by subsidies. That is remarkable compared to growers in Spain and Greece, who focus much more on existing varieties.”
“Our Italian supplier expects to send 10 to 15 per cent fewer seedless grapes and a comparable volume to last year. For that matter, Spain will definitely compensate for this decrease of seedless grapes. I expect import volumes to reach a similar level to last year. We had a relatively good price level on average then, so we’re hoping for a repeat,” Bertus continues.
Although part of the Italian cultivation was ravaged by snow earlier this season, Zoutewelle’s suppliers weren’t affected by it. “We hope to continue with the Italian grapes until December. Last year, we had them until Christmas, and we’re trying to reach that again, because the grapes sell for good prices during the start and the end of the season. But in the end, the decision will be made by the supplier, they are the eyes in the fields,” Bertus concludes.
For more information:
Bertus Schipper
Zoutewelle
Handelsweg 140
2988 DC Ridderkerk, the Netherlands
T: +31 (0)180 642364
bertus.schipper@zoutewelle.com
www.zoutewelle.com