A few producers from Emilia-Romagna report that the three weeks of sunshine have meant the cherry campaign in central and northern Italy is getting back on track.
"Quality is now very good and the market is going well. Clients are willing to pay good prices when they are pleased with the product. I sell directly at my company and to supermarkets within the region," explains Davide Modigliani, a producer from Cesena.
Modigliani is harvesting Black Star and Grey Star. Prices hover between €6.40/kg and €8/kg depending on the grade. "We are talking of minimum grades of 28-30 and good organoleptic quality means the produce sells without problems. From my experience, the same applies to all products - a good flavor and good grades result in profitable prices."
Most of Modigliani's cherry orchards are covered in anti-rain nets, though there were still problems with the early produce and 50% of cherries was lost. "There are varieties that are more susceptible to cracking, while the Black series is more resistant."
Loris Babbini, representative from Associazione produttori ciliegie delle colline cesenati, reports that "prices are good at the Bologna and Milan markets. The harvesting of Kodia is in full swing and we are about to start with Carniola, characterized by its crunchiness and high Brix level."
Babbini uses classic 30x50 crates filled with 6 1kg punnets. The rain damaged much of the early production in his area as well and now the heat is hastening ripening, so varieties risk overlapping.