In the southern Italian region of Apulia, the grape season seems to be characterized by two main factors, a yield drop of around 30% due to the spread of downy mildew and a consequent increase in growing costs of at least 20-30%. Indeed, more treatments with plant protection products are needed to keep the bunches on the vines and thereby reduce any yield loss.
Some growers from Apulia are also saying that the sales and prices of
seedless varieties are not as they should be, when exactly higher prices were expected for them. On the other hand, there has been an increase in prices for the traditional varieties.
According to the testimonies, growers received an average of €0.60-0.70 per kilo for their Victoria grapes last season, while this year peaks as high as €1.20 were reached. On average, the price is 15-20% higher than last year.
Seedless grape punnets of 500g were sold to traders last week for €0.75-0.80, while prices were not expected to drop below the euro. In Apulia, no less than half of all pitted grape vines have been uprooted in the past two years, marking the long-awaited varietal renewal. However, unfavorable weather conditions have further reduced the available quantity of pitted grapes, causing an unexpected shortage on the market.
"Growers also informed us that in recent days there has been increased interest in traditional Italian grapes from Eastern European countries, such as Poland. This would be due to the decrease in supply, also because of weather conditions, in growing areas where European buyers usually source their supplies (e.g. Greece). The supply of seeded grapes (such as Victoria, Palieri, Red Globe and Italia) from southern Italy, if of quality, is eagerly sought after, not only in the domestic market, but also in France, southern Germany and the United Arab Emirates."