AL.MA. mainly trades green avocados, which are the most demanded by the Italian market. The fruit comes mainly from Israel, South Africa, Peru and the Netherlands (re-exported produce).
Arad avocados.
"Supplies from Israel are almost over and Arad avocados are no longer available. There are only the Pinkerton left, but they will only last until week 11 or 12. Supplies from South Africa will become available after week 14."
Pinkerton avocados.
The importer is looking to fill the gap with Fuerte avocados from Peru, but their size is smaller this year. "Fruits are mostly of grade 18 or 16 with very few 12 or 14. Italians tend to prefer grade 10, but they are practically unavailable."
Fuerte avocados
According to the latest rumours, avocados from Mozambique could become available in week 10 from a new supplier.
Arad avocados.
"Supplies from Israel are almost over and Arad avocados are no longer available. There are only the Pinkerton left, but they will only last until week 11 or 12. Supplies from South Africa will become available after week 14."
Pinkerton avocados.
The importer is looking to fill the gap with Fuerte avocados from Peru, but their size is smaller this year. "Fruits are mostly of grade 18 or 16 with very few 12 or 14. Italians tend to prefer grade 10, but they are practically unavailable."
Fuerte avocados
According to the latest rumours, avocados from Mozambique could become available in week 10 from a new supplier.
Ready-to-eat avocados
As regards ripening, there have been complaints about the fact that the produce sold as ready-to-eat is actually too soft or too hard.
Claudio Gorini confirms that very few operators are capable of reaching the perfect ripening level. "Eat Me avocados from Nature's Pride, for example, truly stand out. They evidently invested a lot in developing the correct ripening technology. Although their produce is rather expensive, ripening is always excellent. Other operators tried something similar, but results don't always meet expectations. Unfortunately, we don't have the magic formula to obtain ready-to-eat avocados, otherwise we would use it for all our premium-brand exotic products."
Contacts:
AL.MA. s.r.l.
Via Lombroso, 54
20137 Milano
Tel.: (+39) 02 5510622
Fax: (+39) 02 55195646
Email: almafrutta@tin.it
Web: www.almafrutta.it