Italy: Producers worried about shelf-life of table grapes

It's been a hard season for Sicilian Victoria grapes and the Italia variety has been affected by cracking. "It's not possible to quantify the damage - while 15-20% of the fruit seems to be affected in some areas, the percentage is higher in other areas," explains Lorenzo Bellassai from Giovanni Bellassai in Mazzarrone (CT).

According to Lorenzo, in fact, it's not so much the 'calmness' of the table grape market that is worrying producers, but rather the produce shelf-life. "While market crises might be manageable, there is little we can do when it comes to the weather."

Lorenzo's hope is for the weather situation to stabilize and for temperatures to drop a little. "Fresh evening breeze is the best treatment for our vineyards."

The company is currently shipping Italia grapes mainly to France. "Over the past few years,we have managed to promote grapes that are seeded, not too big, with a yellow color and high Brix level. We have also shipped batches to the Netherlands and Germany."

The Red Globe and Black Pearl varieties are also being harvested. "In week 37, we'll start harvesting Crimson, King's Ruby and Regal seedless grapes, which will be available until week 46."

The Bellassai grape campaign should end in week 50.