Fruit Logistica 2013, Hall 2.2 - Stand B-02
"Italy: "The Ambrosia apple continues to surprise positively"
Marco explains about the season of the Ambrosia apple variety of which the Rivoira group holds the exclusive marketing rights in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
"This year, Ambrosia has continued to surprise us positively, being very well received in the markets and distinguishing it's self for high prices in the club varieties sector," says Marco.
In terms of volume, this year 9,000 tons of apples Ambrosia will be handled, compared to 7,000 of 2011/12. "The increased availability is due to the start of production at new plants. Indeed, we have completed the first step of our development plan, which included 200 hectares of orchard. The next step is the installation of an additional 200 hectares from 2013 to 2017, divided equally between us and our licensee VI.P-Val Venosta. Upon completion of the plan, in 2017, we will produce 20 to 25,000 tons of apples Ambrosia," said Marco.
The season of Ambrosia began last October 25, 2012 and so far from 2,200 to 2,300 tons have been sold on average each month. The prices are higher by 10-15% compared to the previous season.
"We will finish the product by the end of March 2013 - added Marco - because we have opened new markets for Ambrosia. In addition to strengthening the UK market, this year we are present in Austria and Scandinavia; 65% of our production of Ambrosia is absorbed by the European market, while 20% remains in Italy and 15% goes overseas, in the Middle East. Currently we are performing sales tests in North Africa, with small quantities."
Positive news also on the front of the apples with red colouration of lower than 30%, which are marketed under the brand Rivoira and not Ambrosia (for which the red colouring of the fruit must be greater than 30%): "Apart from aestheticley pleasing, this apple is a very sweet and tasty fruit, then sells well even when the skin is mostly yellow. A parallel market for these less coloured apple Ambrosia versions, which we called Gold Rosé, is coming up."
The only downsides of the 2012/13 season, as reported by Marco Rivoira, were the automatic increases in the cost of transport by ship at the turn of the year, occurred right in the middle of the marketing year and which are hampering many exporting firms (see related news).
The Rivoira group will exhibit at Fruit Logistica (Berlin, 6-8 February 2013), in Hall. 2.2, Stand B-02.
Contacts:
Rivoira Giovanni & Figli S.p.A.
Via Pomarolo, 88
12039 Verzuolo (CN) - Italy
Ph.: +39 (0)175 280800
Fax: +39 (0)175 280850
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.rivoira.it
