Cherry prices had been good last week, while yesterday there was a general decline, from which only big-sized cherries and the best varieties to eat were exempted. In short, prices vary a lot.
"Until last Saturday, prices had been good - says Massimiliano Intorre, from Parmafrutta, a company operating in the Parma wholesale market - averaging around 8 euros. Today, Monday 18 May 2020, plenty of product has arrived, which was sold at 4,5-5 euro/kg. And we haven't even finished everything".
The reason is simple: "A lot of product arrived on the markets, both from the south and the north and also from Spain. In Bisceglie, in Puglia, as well as in Verona, the quantities are increasing. And then there are good-quality Spanish cherries at a lower price than the Italian ones".
From Parma to Rimini. The wholesaler Tazio Zavaglia has cherries of all varieties, all sizes and all qualities. "This morning, May 18th, we sold the small caliber product for 2 euros/kg, and for 9 euros the high-quality Apulian Ferrovia variety. In the middle, there is everything else. For example, an average quality sells at 3.5 euros/kg, the 'durone' cherry at 6 euros and the Ferrovia, which is the best ever, at 9 euros/kg. We have products for all budgets; but it should be stressed that, in my opinion, the product from Puglia is the best, at least in this period of May. It is very aromatic, juicy and really good to eat".
The situation is similar in Cesena. Massimo Castrogiovanni says that "I have product from the north of Italy only. On average, prices have fluctuated between 4.5 and 5.5 euros/kg," down compared to last week.