The start of the 2013 kiwi campaign seems satisfying according to what Domenico Sacchetto, chairman of PO Piemonte Aspofruit, reported: "finally we can breathe after the freeze and the diseases of last year."
"The recognition of the market along with doubled production (40,000 tonnes) makes us positive once again. Also from an organoleptic point of view, the quality of the produce this year is definitely higher. The same goes for brix levels, compactness and shelf-life."
"The situation of the market favoured prices and there were no excessive quantities from other international competitors. This meant we could recuperate volumes especially overseas and in Russia. The current export trend overseas is the best, but there is an increase also at a domestic level."
Even if things are not exactly rosy for fruit at the moment, the first estimates look good, at least for the current campaign of kiwis from Piedmont.
"To this combination of positive factors, we add technical assistance to uniform the characteristic of the produce with respect to the current quality standards from harvesting to final distribution."
As regards the Kiwifruit of Italy consortium, Sacchetto says that "each operation born from aggregation in the productive world is something we have to learn from. In our case, we shall do it for Rossa Cuneo PGI apples, so that we can jump on board as well."
Contacts:
Piemonte Asprofrut
Via Praetta 2
12030 Lagnasco (CN)
Tel.: +39 0175 282311
Fax: +39 0175 282320
Email: info@asprofrut.com
Web: www.asprofrut.com