The good prices recorded a month ago in wholesale markets are a distant memory. "Prices have gone down now, regardless of whether it is Sicilian or Apulian grapes," explains Riccardo Bargellini, sales manager and co-owner of Gobbi Gino snc.
Many producers are starting to get ready to stock the produce in cold storage units to prolong the season. "They started a week ago in Sicily and are starting now in Apulia. Our problem is the colour, as the produce no longer has that lovely yellow colour it had a few weeks ago."
Italia grapes.
Consumption dropped at the same time, "which we didn't expect at all. It is a general situation which affects all products and we don't understand why."
The fact that the fruit is less appealing combined with the drop in consumption reflected on the prices. "Quotations dropped as much as 30 cents per kilo. Italia grapes used to sell at €1.30-1.40/kg and is now selling at €1. Pizzuttella hardly reaches €1-1.10/kg because of colour problems." We are talking about a 20% drop for Italian grapes and 30% for Pizzuttella grapes.
"Table grapes are suffering, though at this time of year it should be selling easily. We hope things will improve in November, when new produce will arrive in the market," concludes Bargellini.
Contacts:
Gobbi Gino snc
Via Dismano, 4001 - Pievesestina (FC)
c/o Mercato ortofrutticolo
Tel. e Fax: (+39) 0547 312041
Email: gobbiginosnc@virgilio.it
Web: www.gobbiginosnc.it