"We expected a 20% drop but I believe we have reached -25-28%. Quality is excellent everywhere, as Brix levels start at 8° and there is a high dry matter content. Fruits are also more round, which though is a negative aspect if exporting to the Asian markets. A more oblong shape is caused by cold temperatures or excessive rain during blossoming."
"In just six years, Greece doubled its quantities reaching 108 thousand tons. But it is just an estimate, as they lack an organisation like the Cso in Italy that provides official data. I believe prices will be better than last year, but it will not be easy in the beginning."
And, when talking about kiwis, it is impossible not to mention Zespri. Does Neri believe that the New Zealand company enjoys a monopoly on the market? "I believe our Jingold, even though with limited quantities, is the only competitor that gives Zespri a run for its money concerning golden kiwis. There is room for everyone on the market and I don't feel Zespri has the monopoly."
Il Frutteto, the processing and trading company owned by the Neri brothers, handles between 3000 and 3500 tons of golden kiwis every year as well as 2500 tons of green kiwis. The KiwiGold consortium has 750 hectares of kiwi orchards and will reach 1000 hectares by 2018.
Finally, a comment on the election of Donald Trump. "I don't know whether his election will help improve the relationship with Russia and lift the ban. He is quite unpredictable. In addition, even if the ban was lifted tomorrow, it would take at least six months to reorganise the market."
Contacts:
Jingold SpA
P.le Caduti del Lavoro, 200
47522 Cesena (FC)
Tel.: (+39) 0547 317476
Fax: (+39) 0547 417514
Email: m.armuzzi@jingold.it
Web: www.jingold.it