Markets had been 'blocked' until Thursday of last week (the fifth of 2020, ed.). "The only items that are performing well are citrus fruits. The Italian clementines are finished and thus we are focusing on the Spanish product which, in any case, reaches quotations of 1.80-1.90 euros/kg. When there is little product, in general sales are better. Because of the bad weather in Spain, we were unable to supply ourselves for a couple of days and to satisfy customer requests. With the Hernandina variety, in particular, we did not find any problems in terms of quality. The other varieties, on the other hand, are of lower quality".
So said Giovanni Boccuzzi of the Fruttattiva company in Conversano (BA), who continues: "Good prices are also being made with the Sicilian tangerine, at around 1.20-1.30 euros/kg; the product is highly sought after. The price of the Tarocco Sicilian orange with red pulp is satisfactory, but the volumes are quite limited".
"Another product which is performing well is the strawberry, both of Lucanian and Greek origin. The current climate records higher temperatures than usual and this favors the cultivation and consumption of the fruit. Prices and volumes as well are good".
Greek strawberries.
"In our opinion, the Greek strawberry is better than the Spanish one. It sports a better hold and a better saleable packaging. The prices are around 3.50 euro/kg. As for the strawberries from Basilicata, we are selling the Fortuna variety at around € 3.50/kg and Sabrosa-Candonga at around € 6.00/kg".
Lucanian strawberries.
According to the trader, pears are scarce in volume and poor in quality but are very expensive. "The high price is only due to the lack of product, but lately it is also hard to satisfy the quality, with a large percentage of waste. The Abate pear, in a 17-18 kg box, has a price of 1.50-1,60 euro/kg; in a 4 kg pan the price is instead of 2.00-2.50 euro/kg. The Conference pear in a box is at 1.00-1.20 euro/kg, while in a pan it exceeds 2.00 €/kg".
Volumes are good and sales are regular for kiwis and apples. "We make 1.50-1.60 euros/kg for Italian Hayward fruits of large size and 1st category, while the prices for the 2nd category are around 1.00 euros/kg. As for the yellow-fleshed kiwi, we work only with the Zespri Gold at much higher prices. The marketing of national colored apples is satisfactory; there are decent volumes of the Fuji, Envy, Kanzi varieties".
Vegetables and greens
The company's horticultural offer ranges from different types of tomatoes and peppers to courgettes, aubergines, fennel and local specialties. "Since we are in the province of Bari, we market all the local vegetables, such as turnips, chicory and beets - adds Gianni Boccuzzi, owner of Fruttattiva - It was a difficult period for the sector and we haven't recovered yet".
"The months of January and February are usually periods of decline. This year, however, we are experiencing this trend a little more. At the moment there is a slight increase in the prices for tomatoes, due to a lower available volume. But sales do not compensate for the lack of product, so the situation remains stagnant. On the markets you can see many vegetables and greens due to the mild winter, but this does not help sales".
The last comment from the trader: "Due to the spread of coronavirus worldwide, Chinese products are disappearing from national and international markets. There is a general psychosis related to everything that is Asian. This situation should favor European production", concludes Gianni.
Contacts:
Fruttattiva srl
Via Cozze 23/C
70014 Conversano (BA)
Tel.: +39 080 495 8227
Fax: +39 080 214 5661
Email: info@fruttattiva.it
Web: www.fruttattiva.com