While Spain is having grade problems due to the unfavorable weather in some production areas, Italy has to deal with lower yields. FreshPlaza talked about it with three operators from three different regions.
Calabria
Quantities are rather low due to the alternating hot weather and rain. "Various producers have 1-2 hectares destined to pomegranate cultivation. Some grow the Wonderful variety and have reported dropping yields. No further investments are envisaged at the moment," explained Stefano Floramo.
The Wonderful pomegranate campaign will start in more than a week's time and will continue until 15th-20th October. "But it will depend on the temperatures."
Wonderful variety
Puglia
As reported by Giacomo Linoci, "the drop in yields is lower than expected and will also lead to higher quality compared to last year, when drought caused cracking."
Harvesting started with the Acco variety on 26th August, 20 days earlier than usual. "It will be the turn of the Wonderful variety in early October. The campaign should then continue until March after peaking in mid-January."
Talking about competitors, Linoci siad, "last year, we felt a heavier competition from Egypt and there is also less pressure from Turkey compared to two years ago. This is probably due to the fact that it can export to Russia."
Acco variety
Sardinia
"Sardinia is now starting to invest in this product. People are interested in it and producers are increasing the areas dedicated to its cultivation year after year," explains Orazio Casalino.
This year's heavy rains caused problems during setting. "There were also a few problems when it came to pollinator insects as the high humidity made the pollen less fertile. However, the color and grade of the pomegranates that are setting are very interesting. We're hoping that the lower yields will be compensated by higher prices."