The prolonged warm weather has delayed the start of the citrus fruit season in Italy. Puglia is registering a 10 day delay.
Daniele Martucci, owner of Martucci Srl, a company specialized in the processing and commercialization of citrus fruit, explains what we should expect, in addition to providing the current sales prices.
Daniele Martucci
"All summer products, including watermelons, stone fruits and grapes, have registered very high starting prices due to the higher costs and lower yields generated by the abnormal weather. Why should it be different for citrus fruit? Retailers are fully aware they will have to pay a few cents more for the fruit. Clementines are being purchased in the fields at €0.40-0.50/kg compared with the €0.20-0.30/kg of 12 months ago. As for oranges, we feel lucky when we manage to buy at €0.50/kg. One year ago prices did not exceed €0.30-0.35/kg."
The operator does not seem so worried about the delayed start of the season. "As temperatures are still mild, these fruits would not be placed right, destabilizing the start of the campaign. It is a well-known fact that the consumption of citrus fruit is stimulated by the cold weather. We believe we can start with supplies by the end of the month, while exports to France and Germany should begin around November 10th and those to Eastern Europe are envisaged no sooner than November 20th."
As for grades, Martucci reports that clementines this year will have average grades of II, III and IV. "It hasn't been raining since June here in Puglia. It is a normal year with standard yields. There are plants with 60 kg of fruits and others with 100 kg. It is rare to find trees laden with fruits, plus they often do not equal high-quality. We only need a little rain so fruits can grow a bit, plus fall temperatures to improve their color and push sales. We are hoping this will be a good campaign, and I believe it will be."
For further information:
Martucci Srl
Via Chiatona,
74016 Massafra (TA)
+39 338 2620262
martucci.export@tiscali.it
martucci.info