Granfrutta Zani has took part in Fruit Attraction for the fourth year. "It is an occasion to meet domestic and European retailer buyers as well as our suppliers, as we import strawberries and peaches from Spain and pears, apples and kiwis from South America," explains Raffaele Bucella, sales manager for the company. Granfrutta Zani is in Pavilion 7 - Stand C09.
The 2013/14 campaign
"We finished the summer campaign last week, except for Angeleno plums, which will be available until Christmas. We have now started with apples and pears and towards the end of the month we will also start with Hayward kiwis."
"The plum campaign was quite awful, as prices were 30-50% lower than last year. Only the oldest Stanley and President varieties did slightly better, as they are considered a niche product. In addition, sugar levels were below 3-4° Brix due to the bad weather."
As regards apples, we started the campaign with bigger quantities than 2013 and there are still stocks available in the Trento area, prices are therefore 20-25% lower than last year."
In addition to the traditional Stark and Golden varieties, Granfrutta Zani also produces club Modì and Pink Lady for a total volume of around 20,000 tons a year.
The company also produces 12-13,000 tons of pears. "Production varies a lot depending on the variety. There are 30-40% less Kaiser, while Abate is more or less in line with last year. Consumption though is not looking good and prices are 20-25% lower due to the Russian ban. It is difficult to be positive, but we must hope in a political solution for the ban and that prices push consumers to buy more produce."
"Considering the huge New Zealand prices, expectations for kiwis are quite high. In Europe, a kg of Hayward is sold at over €3. In addition, hopes are high also because of the fact that produce from the Southern hemisphere should finish in early November."
The produce is sold both in Italy and abroad - 80% of plums is exported, while 70% of pears are sold on the domestic market. 80% of apple club varieties is exported, whereas 80% of the traditional ones remains in Italy. 70% of kiwis is exported.
Kiwi and Abate pears for the few clients who require ready-to-eat produce are sold under the Solatia brand.
Contacts
OP Granfrutta Zani
Raffaele Bucella
Via Monte Sant'Andrea
48018 Granarolo Faentino (RA)
Tel.: (+39) 0546 695211
Fax: (+39) 0546 41775
Email: buc@granfruttazani.it
Web: www.granfruttazani.it