According to Patrizio Neri, president of Jingold, "the 2021 frost was undemocratic. At a distance of a few hundred meters, there can be companies with 50% or 60% of losses and others with no or almost no problems. And this has happened everywhere, from Veneto to Calabria."
"A supplier from the south has dozens of hectares spread over several farms. In some farms he recorded 60% damage, in others only 10%. That's why I say it's still early to make a true estimate. At the moment, we don't have a concrete estimate, but we can only assume what happened".
Patrizio Neri in an archive photo
Neri has also witnessed anomalous situations in Emilia Romagna. In the Emilia valley, there are plants with serious damage to the buds, while on the first hillsides, losses are minimal. Those who had anti-defrost systems or uncovered areas contributed to preserving the plant in case the temperature did not drop too far below zero for a lengthy period of time.
Speaking of the market: "Sales went well and by now the Italian production is on the wane. In the last 5 or 6 years, however, the production has not been at full capacity, so it is difficult to say how well the market would have reacted. In Chile and Argentina, our partners have already started to harvest kiwis and in a few weeks the product will be available on our markets," concluded Neri.