The first Sicilian grapes from Auteri have arrived at Luba Fresh in Venlo. "We start a week earlier than last year. These grapes are from the greenhouses and the volumes are still limited. But despite the prices being still on the high side, there is already a healthy demand from the market," says Lucien de Wit . "In Sicily, a 15-20% larger harvest is expected than last year, although the coarse grapes in particular will still be difficult to find."
The first varieties to be supplied are Black Magic and Victoria. "In general, you see that more and more seedless varieties are being planted all over Italy and that volume is increasing every year, but it will take another four weeks before the first seedless grapes from Italy arrive," the importer says, adding that the grape market in Europe has picked up sharply in the last three weeks.
"Egypt is also already sending the first grapes to Europe, but the brix content of those grapes is still low, so we will only receive the first Egyptian grapes in week 22. This week we also received the last grapes from India. Volume-wise, India had a good season. The first four and last four weeks of the season were good. The period in between was difficult, but because the quality was better than last year, we had a pretty good season all in all," Lucien concludes.
For more information:
Luciën de Wit 
LuBa Fresh
+31 (0)77 777 7715
Mob: +31 (0) 6-41273443
L.deWit@LuBaFresh.com
www.LuBaFresh.com