2018 peach and nectarine campaign characterised by slight optimism

"We can be slightly optimistic when it comes to peaches and nectarines," explains Fruitimprese Emilia-Romagna president Giancarlo Minguzzi.

"So far, prices have stabilised at around €3/kg, with a slight drop (approx. 20%) starting from early July. For producers, prices have been much more profitable than in 2017, also thanks to the support of Italian retailers. Exports however are struggling more, and they represent 30/40% of the peach/nectarine market. Pressure from Spain is stronger and, despite the drop in volumes, it penalises the Italian produce especially on the German market."

Giancarlo Minguzzi, President of Fruitimprese Emilia-Romagna

As regards apricots, Minguzzi explains that "the produce from the south is finished and that from Emilia-Romagna was welcomed well by the market thanks to good grades and quality. Quotations increased by at least 20 eurocents. It's still early for plums, but we are rather optimistic."

"We have to wait for the end of the campaign to make an assessment, but we can say that, thanks to the lower production, a warm season, livelier consumption and fewer overlaps, the 2018 summer fruit campaign will be better than 2017. Nonetheless, the priority remains to update the production register and coordinate Mediterranean countries."