An analysis carried out by Cesena Fiera in view of the TropicalFruitCongress to be held during Macfrut (10th-11th May 2018) revealed how Italian consumers are increasingly buying tropical fruit. The analysis focused on avocados. While the per-capita average is of only 0.23 kg, far from the 2.5 kg of Northern Europe, there has been a surprising 23% increase in purchases last year (14 million kg), among the best performances in the continent (Source: Wao, World Avocado Organisation).
Imported mangos
And the percentage is only destined to grow, considering the attraction consumers have for this product. In 2016, European imports reached 340 thousand tons and estimates talk about 517 thousand tons for 2018.
Italy could play a leading role in all this. Growth margins for avocados and mangoes are particularly good in Sicily, meaning there are great opportunities for the entire agricultural chain.
Three years ago, Marco Di Noto planted 4 hectares of mangoes. His company is located in the Messina province. "We will harvest throughout summer and I believe it will be a good season. Last year, the first fruit we harvested confirmed the high organoleptic qualities of the entire production. Mangoes that ripen on trees are very different from imported ones ripened in a container."
Giuseppe Caracci from Trapani owns a one-hectare crop. "My company is located 320m above sea level, but it shouldn't be a problem. I used to have a mango crop as well, but frost destroyed it a few years ago. The quality of the first fruit we harvested was very good."
"I believe Italy could increase its avocado and mango production. Sicily in particular could pair these crops with citrus fruit. Some are already doing it, but I think we can do better and be more organised. For example, I visited a big cooperative in Spain that used to grow strawberries up until 15 years ago but now only produces mangoes and avocados with a turnover of approximately €100 million," explains Macfrut president Renzo Piraccini.
Archive photo: Sicilia Avocado
Leading tropical fruit operators will attend the congress during Macfrut, including: Xavier Equihua Ceo from Wao (World avocado organization), National Mango Board Research Director Leonardo Ortega, Carlos Crisosto from the University of Davis (California), ProHass President Daniel Josè Bustamante Canny, Trops General Manager Enrique Colilles and Hass Avocado Board CEO Emiliano Escobedo.
Two round tables will be perfect for confrontations. There will be Spreafico Manager Raffaele Spreafico, Mc Garlet CEO Luca Garletti, Eurogroup CEO Ulirich Spieckermann, Naturespride Sales Manager Adrielle Dankier, Aweta Group Manager Norman Van derGaag, Experico researcher Arrie De Kock, Savid President Jetta Van denBerg, Turatti North America President Alessandro Turatti, and CCI Colombia President Adriana Senior Mojica.
There is a limited attendance number of 300. Tickets cost €100 and can be purchased at www.tropicalfruitcongress.com
TropicalFruitCongress is organised by Cesena Fiera and promoted by AgroFresh, Aweta, Frunet, Ghelfi, Graziani, Mc Garlet, Nespak, Sermac, Spreafico, Tr Turoni, Turatti, World avocado organization.
Contacts:
Cesena Fiera
Via Dismano 3845
47522 Cesena (FC) - Italy
Tel.: +39 0547 317435
Fax: +39 0547 318431
Email: info@macfrut.com
Web: www.macfrut.com