The Italian peach sector has had to deal with early harvesting problems, a lack of promotion, confusion regarding types and too many varieties. This in turn means settlements are well below production costs and consumers are dissatisfied with the fruit, so much so that purchases diminish year after year.
A technical meeting on peaches and nectarines promoted by the Cesena wholesale market and attended by Crpv expert Stefano Foschi was held on 20th March 2017. After the initial greetings by Matteo Magnani and Domenico Scarpellini (respectively market coordinator and president), Foschi discussed the situation in front of over thirty producers and traders.
"I've been saying it for years - consumers never know what they're buying when they purchase peaches and nectarines in supermarkets. Will they be sweet or acidic? I always fear they won't taste nice if they have been harvested to soon or if growers choose to produce 50 tons/ha."
A research programme conducted on a European level around ten years ago showed how 87% of interviewees preferred sweet peaches with 14° Brix, which means they're not very satisfied considering the way things are today. But, if premium lines of a perishable fruit such as strawberries have become available, premium stone fruit lines should be even easier to achieve.
Another problem is the Sharka virus. Foschi explained that Martorano 5 is working on tolerant varieties that develop the disease 5 years after inoculation, but it's still early.
He then analysed a series of varieties but, rather than mention them, we invite producers to test how they behave in fields with the help of nursery gardeners or producers.
In general, varieties that taste good should be chosen and sold through someone that can promote them. "Grade and flavour are essential for wholesale operators. It's better to produce less but with a better quality. Colour is also important, as consumers make a purchase based on appearance but only repurchase if the fruit tastes good."
"Once peaches and nectarines are harvested, their quality worsens. They are not like apples, pears or kiwis, so they must be harvested when quality is high."
In general, varieties that taste good should be chosen and sold through someone that can promote them. "Grade and flavour are essential for wholesale operators. It's better to produce less but with a better quality. Colour is also important, as consumers make a purchase based on appearance but only repurchase if the fruit tastes good."
"Once peaches and nectarines are harvested, their quality worsens. They are not like apples, pears or kiwis, so they must be harvested when quality is high."