While a few producers from the south are complaining, the situation is looking better in the north where the current market phase is well diversified.
The president of a cooperative in Emilia reports that "early cherries, which are softer and with a shorter shelf-life, are over. Now we're harvesting new larger varieties with good organoleptic qualities. The market is reacting well when it comes to both feedback and price stability, especially since prices were lower up until a few days ago due to the general low quality. Harvesting will continue for 4 weeks, with good quality and grades also thanks to the good weather."
On May 31st, 2021, wholesale prices at the Cesena market hovered between €2 and €6/kg for loose Bigarreau Burlat and €4-5 for Ferrovia, of course for good-quality cherries with grades 26-28.
A buyer from a known big retail chain explains that "the first to appear on the market were the classic cherries, but now Duroni are also available. The cost is between €3 and €6 depending on the origin. Those from Vignola are slightly more expensive than those from Puglia. Anyway things are good and consumption is excellent."
As regards the complaints from the south, an operator reports that "the situation is easy: after two months where everyone said there would be no produce due to the frost, many foreign and domestic clients opted for foreign produce (Spain, Turkey and Greece, where orchards are growing a lot). Production, however, is almost normal and it has crowded the market."