"Apricot production is lower than average, and this is reflected in the prices, which, so far at least, have been really high. In fact, I don't remember such high figures in thirty years," reports Christian Montalti, an apricot producer from the Imola hills (Bologna). "Over the past few days, we have finished harvesting Pricia and Wondercot: The first batches were paid €5 per kg at auction, and then dropped to €3, which is very good."
 © Montalti |  © Montalti |
Montalti calculated a 25% drop in yield on his farm compared to a normal year. "However, there is certainly less product on the Italian and European market, otherwise we would not be able to explain certain prices."
© MontaltiChristian Montalti
Other varieties being harvested are: Tsunami, "sold on average at €4," and Luna, which stood at €3. "Allow me to share a thought: the highest prices were not obtained by the larger sizes, but rather by the better varieties from an organoleptic point of view, characterised by a higher Brix level. That is why, when it comes to new plantings, I will only choose varieties that are good to eat."
© Montalti
"We only pick apricots that have reached the right degree of ripeness, which are then placed in boxes containing six punnets, with a total weight of about 8 kg".
In a few days' time, the farmer will start picking Orange Ruby. Montalti has a special story: up until a couple of years ago, fruit growing was his second job, as he was an executive at a company. "Then I decided to change my life, despite the fact that many people told me I was crazy to leave a secure, responsible, and well-paid job like mine. I bought a farm next to mine and increased the surface area. Today, I grow a total of 7 hectares, with apricot trees already in production and others breeding or about to be planted."
For more information
Christian Montalti
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