"Unfortunately, it was already quite late and the authorities did not find suitable solutions, so the quantities the whole chain has to deal with are unmanageable."
This will mean that prices of first quality fruit will rocket as soon as the second choice produce will be allocated or destroyed. Turnovers however have already been compromised, with profits of around €0.15/kg.
"Now I am worried about pears, as prices are already very low. They might increase due to the scarce quantities harvested though. As regards the industrial sector, there is a lot of stock available so prices will drop."
The main problem concerns apples - there is still produce from 2013 stocked all over Europe. "Trentino and Alto Adige are directing the excess produce both towards the fresh and industrial sector, but abroad it is only being sent to the processing industry, thus lowering prices (€0.02/kg in Austria and €0.05/kg in Italy)."
If nothing changes, these will also be the prices for the new apples. "Produce from the plain, which does not always reach the same colour of that from Alto Adige, should be destined to discounts, though they will have to revise their minimum parameters. If they don't, it will be a catastrophe, worse than that of peaches!"
"I believe we should ask the authorities to intervene and support Italian apples against imported produce," concludes Odorizzi.