The Autumn-Winter fruit sale campaign was characterised by a lack of fruit in the European basin due to bad weather.
The CO.FRU.TA. Cooperative, located in Giacciano con Baruchella (Veneto), collects approximately 18,000/20,000 tons of produce from 250 partners in the provinces of Rovigo, Verona and Treviso as well as from some partners in Emilia and Friuli.
Sales manager Massimo Milani explains that, "we are a historic company operating on the national market since 1961, though for many years we have been available on the foreign market with 2/3 of fresh produce."
The reference markets are Germany and Northern Countries, even though there has been a shift towards the East in the last 10 years. CO.FRU.TA is also active overseas in Canada, Brasil, Argentina, Arab countries, North Africa as well as India, Taiwan and Malaysia.
In 2012, the cooperative collected approximately 15,000 tons of produce, 23% less than 2011 and 18% less on the average of the past 3 years. "Pears (-38%) and apples (-30%) were really affected, whereas kiwis had a slight increase (+10%)," adds Milani.
The reference markets are Germany and Northern Countries, even though there has been a shift towards the East in the last 10 years. CO.FRU.TA is also active overseas in Canada, Brasil, Argentina, Arab countries, North Africa as well as India, Taiwan and Malaysia.
In 2012, the cooperative collected approximately 15,000 tons of produce, 23% less than 2011 and 18% less on the average of the past 3 years. "Pears (-38%) and apples (-30%) were really affected, whereas kiwis had a slight increase (+10%)," adds Milani.
Pears
The fact that there was less produce even in Belgium, Netherlands, France and Spain meant we could place the produce easily, so prices were rather fluid and increased as months went by. This in turn meant refrigeration costs could be recuperated. "Profits should be in line with the medium-high prices of the campaign."
Apples
If we exclude the Golden variety, which was affected by the competition of new varieties, the market for other varieties (Granny, Red Chief, Gala, Fuji) was rather interesting thanks to demand coming from North Africa and overseas. Dallango, Fuki and Pink apples did good on the internal market, it is a pity though that they weren't really colourful so, even in such a positive year, the Gross Saleable Production (GSP) suffered.
Kiwis
The trend was rather complex as, until mid-March, the decrease in production by 22% in Italy did not seem to influence the market at all, with prices reaching Greek or Iranian levels and therefore being lower than expected.
"The late awakening of the market means we can end the campaign on a very good note, though the sale average is still below the expectations we had at the beginning of the campaign. In addition to this, after bad weather during Winter and Spring, the kiwi bacteriosis (Psa) is even scarier and is affecting all of the areas in Veneto."
Finally, Milani explains that, "the consumption crisis on the internal and European market means that we are focusing on markets that are further away and that we are improving our knowledge of developing countries such as China, India and Brasil."
Finally, Milani explains that, "the consumption crisis on the internal and European market means that we are focusing on markets that are further away and that we are improving our knowledge of developing countries such as China, India and Brasil."
CO.FRU.TA also produces strawberries in uncovered tunnels. The campaign should start around 6th-7th May.
Contacts:
Massimo Milani - Direttore Commerciale
Consorzio Frutticoltori del Tartaro S.a.c.
Via Madonnina, 699
45020 Giacciano con Baruchella (RO)
Tel.: (+39) 0425 50017
Fax: (+39) 0425 50141
Email: [email protected]
