The 2025 table grape campaign officially started at the Apulian company Agricoper. "On Saturday, 5 July, we started harvesting the first early red seedless varieties such as Ruby Rush, although our grape campaign will officially start this week (week 28, ed.). As of today, we are generally expecting a more abundant season than last year, as plants are fertile and grape quality is good. So our expectations for the upcoming campaign are high," reports marketing & sales manager Domenico Liturri.
© Maria Luigia Brusco | FreshPlaza.com
Vito, Domenico, and Giuseppe Liturri of Agricoper at Fruit Logistica 2025
"As far as quality parameters are concerned, broadly speaking, we can make a distinction between early varieties, which are harvested until the beginning of August, and late varieties, which are harvested from the second half of August onwards. The early white July grapes are slightly smaller than usual, but are well pitted and neutral in flavour, while late varieties are expected to be of excellent quality. As of now, in fact, we are already seeing well-formed bunches with large, uniform grapes in the vineyards."
From an agronomic point of view, Ruby Rush plants have a wide planting pattern that favours exposure to sunlight and allows high bud fertility. "This type of cultivation is also suited to the clay and limestone soil typical of our production areas," explains the sales manager. 
© Agricoper
"The Italian and especially foreign markets are responding very well to this variety. For us, this is already the third year of Ruby Rush production and the second year of full commercialisation. Demand is always growing. The fact that it is the only early seedless red variety at the moment allows us to anticipate the start of the campaign and fill our supply calendar throughout the month of July. Furthermore, being a highly fertile cultivar with a uniform deep red colour and delicate flavour, it is well suited for our premium selections."
The markets in which Agricoper's Ruby Rush is sold are Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. "Its quality is appreciated by all, so much so that it is in demand in big retail chains and discount stores as well as in fruit and vegetable markets throughout Europe and Great Britain."
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According to the sales manager, for some years now, consumer preference has shifted from traditional grapes with seeds and an intense muscat flavour, to those without seeds with less-intense sweet flavours or tropical notes. "The most sought-after and appreciated feature, in addition to flavour, is certainly crispness, but aesthetics also play a key role today. In fact, consumers are increasingly attracted by original and innovative packaging, and there is a growing tendency to buy small or single-portion formats, such as 400-gram baskets," concludes Liturri.
For more information:
Domenico Liturri - marketing & sales manager
AGRICOPER di G. Liturri s.r.l.
S.p. per Torre a Mare Km 2,5
70016 Noicattaro (Bari) - Italy
+39 080 4780081
[email protected]
www.agricoper.it
