CSO Italy data on the peach and nectarine campaign
Production will peak during the first week of July. With approximately 99,000 tons of incoming produce, a 9% increase is expected compared to last year, though quantities will still remain below 2015, when volumes reached 120,000 tons.
Volumes will then drop from next week and until the end of the campaign.
60% of the peaches available come from the south, while 60% of nectarines come from the north.
The campaign didn’t start very well, especially if compared to last year, when supplies were low in all early areas of the three main producer countries and markets were livelier.
The situation is now more normal, though there is some pressure on the quotations. In addition, the competition of other summer products like apricots, plums and cherries must also be considered.
Currently, consumers are preferring nectarines rather than peaches which on Eastern European markets must deal with competition from Spain and Greek as well.
As regards quotations, they were lower than last year already at the start of the season and remained so in the following weeks as well. Currently, 1 kg punnets of nectarines destined abroad (Germany and similar) are sold at approximately €0.70/kg. Grade A volumes in basket boxes sell at around €1.05-1.10/kg but are mostly destined to the domestic market due to the limited quantities available.
Availability should continue to be staggered and volumes should remain low, which in turn should have a positive effect on the market.
Another factor is the weather, which should favour consumption and therefore lead to fairer remunerations.