"The atmosphere is usually joyful as Christmas approaches and demand increases. This year, however, there has not been the much awaited increase in orders. The foreign markets are doing better than the Italian ones despite the new measures introduced to counter the spreading of Covid-19," explained Daniele Martucci, general director of a company in Puglia specializing in the processing and commercialization of citrus fruit.
Daniele Martucci
"There are a lot of clementines available, a good percentage shows hail damage, but the inside is in excellent state. Prices are low, we are talking about max. €0.30/kg (warehouse price) for fruits that are not too small. Currently, demand comes mainly from Poland, France and Germany. We expected a different situation for Navelina oranges, but the Greek produce has a price of €25/kg for brushed shiny fruits against the €45-50/kg of Italian processed oranges. It is unthinkable to lower the prices at the moment."
"It is a difficult campaign and it is very different from the previous one, when the market demanded the produce but we did not have enough. With the second lockdown, families have considerably less money and they have started saving even on food that is not essential."
Contacts:
Martucci Srl
Via Chiatona,
74016 Massafra (TA) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 338 2620262
E-mail: martucci.export@tiscali.it
Website: martucci.info/