It was a difficult season for Egyptian grapes. “Outside of the permanent programmes, I didn’t get many grapes from Egypt,” says Lucien de Wit, who chose free entrepreneurship with Luba Fresh almost ten months ago. “Our focus was on our own production in Italy in recent weeks. Sicily had an excellent start of the grape season. Prices were enormously high, and our polystyrene box was well-received by the market.”
The Red Globe from Sicily is also packed in the polystyrene box.
“By now the Sicilian season for Victoria grapes and the seeded black grapes is over, and Sicilian supply consists of Muscat grapes, Italia and Red Globe,” Lucien continues. “For two weeks now, the supply from the Italian mainland also started properly, and prices for grapes from Sicily are under a bit more pressure. But demand is still good for good-quality grapes, despite the holiday period. In recent years, many new grape varieties were planted in Italy. The emphasis with these is mostly on seedless grapes. Right now the Luba range consists of white/blue/red, both seeded and seedless,” Lucien says.
As of now, ITALIA Muscat is available in polystyrene box again.
“The price/quality ratio is fine. The heat in Italy results in grapes of excellent flavour with a high brix level. However, the extreme drought in certain areas has caused some problems with sunburn. Depending on the weather we will continue the Italian grapes until December,” Lucien says. Last week, the first Greek Thompson grapes also arrived at Luba Fresh. “The weather also has a favourable effect on the grapes in Greece. Brix levels are very good, and the size of the grapes is also acceptable. All in all it’s a promising start of the season, which will last until mid to late October.”
Greek Thompson Seedless from PANTAZIS.
For more information:
Luciën de Wit
LuBa Fresh
Tel: +31 (0)77 777 7715
Mob: +31 (0)6 41 27 34 43
Fax: 077-777 7725
L.deWit@LuBaFresh.com
www.LuBaFresh.com