Pumpkin sales picked up in March - prices are on the up, the market is doing well and demand is lively.
"We are starting a program with an Egyptian collaborator. The first four containers arrived on April 1st, and another three or four will now arrive every week. Egyptian pumpkins are cultivated using the knowledge developed by Italian growers and from our local seeds. Quality is excellent and so are sales expectations," reports Giuseppe Ventura from La Zucca Rossa, a company operating at Centro agroalimentare di Napoli (CAAN).
(Photos supplied by Giuseppe Ventura from La Zucca Rossa)
"Italian pumpkins from Basilicata will no longer be available as of week 14, then we will start with those from Egypt for at least 20 days. Afterwards it will be the turn of the produce from Morocco for a month, followed by the Egyptian one again. Italian pumpkins will become available once more in mid-June."
Wholesale prices hover between €0.80 and €0.90/kg depending on variety, grade and quality, and reach a retail price of €1.00/kg. "These quotations should remain stable throughout April. At the moment, pumpkins remain mainly on the Italian market, as sales dynamics have somewhat changed abroad in terms of both payments and negotiations due to the pandemic. The crisis is making itself heard, leading to a lot of confusion. Over the next few months, with a renewed confidence brought about by the vaccines, our produce should become available on the European markets once again."
(Photos supplied by Giuseppe Ventura from La Zucca Rossa)
"Luckily, thanks to their beneficial organoleptic properties, pumpkins are rather popular in Italy."
For further information:
Giuseppe Ventura
La Zucca Rossa di Ventura s.r.l.
+39 333 7007837
info@lazuccarossadiventurasrl.it
www.lazuccarossadiventurasrl.it