"We are working a lot with watermelons from Sicily (from Marsala in particular) destined to Spain, France and the Netherlands. The fruit weighs between 12 and 22 kg and tastes superb. 85% of the watermelons available on the Spanish market come from Latina, though they are cultivated in greenhouses and colour is not ideal. In Marsala, watermelons are grown in open fields and are therefore more appealing," explains Gaetano Cinturrino from Cinturrino Fruit Management.
In addition, Sicilian Canary yellow melons are shipped to the Netherlands. "We are also shipping white onions from Agrigento to Paris."
Demand in Italy
Gaetano reports that, last week, the Italian markets started demanding cherries, Saturn and Percoca peaches and lemons.
"From what I can understand, there is a lack of large Percoca and Saturn peaches. We are buying grade 16-18 Spanish Percocas at €1.30/kg. In addition, demand is also growing for Spanish and Greek cherries due to the lack of the produce from Apulia."
"Due to the lack of lemons (especially of the Verdello variety), the Spanish Verna and Turkish Eureka are currently being sent to Sicily."
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Italy and Malta are requesting a lot of Pink Lady apples (from Chile) and large apricots (from Spain). "While we are also shipping Tunisian Moscata pumpkins to Italy and France."
Demand in Spain
Spain is currently requiring the following Italian products - fennel (as their domestic campaign has ended), watermelons (the Spanish produce has lower organoleptic qualities and there are some problems with the fruit from Morocco), Canary yellow melons (the campaign is ending in Almeria) and peppers (the campaign in Almeria is over and the produce from Murcia is sold at €1.40-1.60/kg).For what concerns fennel, Spain buys it from Italy and Germany. Between September and early June, it comes from Calabria and Apulia, while the produce form Avezzano is available between June and late August.
"For what concerns peppers, two weeks ago I have received two trucks from Sicily, though there is not much produce available on the market at the moment as the Sicilian season is coming to an end and the Neapolitan one is only just starting. Quotations though have risen to €1.20."