The launch of the new Italian persimmon brand Divino went well. "We started off well despite the fact that the season started around 20 days late due to the weather. After sampling, many operators asked us for double the amounts planned. One third of the productions have already been sold so far," reports Francesca Gallicchio from Gallicchio Frutta in Scanzano Jonico (Matera).
Francesca Gallicchio
There are however a few issues, such as competition from Spain which destabilizes the Italian market due to the aggressive commercial strategies and low-price policies it has been adopting for years. "We are currently processing 20 pallets a day, a quantity that could increase, but we are aware that the central part of the campaign is always the most complex. In difficult times such as these ones, consumers choose less expensive products regardless of the quality. However prices are holding up and, despite the difficulties, we are not recording drops. The problem is the slow consumption, though that could pick up with the lower temperatures."
Processing line
The less-than-ideal weather is among the main issues that cause difficulties in the orchards and on the shelves. The excessively high temperatures this fall have delayed the start of the campaign. "Nonetheless, demand has not stopped. There is still a long way to go before the end of the campaign. Exports are also lively, especially to the Netherlands and Germany. We are now waiting for things to get livelier before Christmas."
For further information:
Gallicchio Frutta
Via Piemonte n. 36/b
75020 Scanzano Jonico (MT)
335 5872063 (Antonio)
334 8121776 (Francesca)
[email protected]
gallicchiofrutta.com
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