When analysing consumption and economic indicators in detail, we can see that, between January and November 2016, fresh produce sales increased with respect to the previous year (+2%). However, this growth does not compensate for the significant drop in purchases registered between 2000 and 2013, i.e. from 9.5 to 7.6 million tons (-20%)
The drop in fruit and vegetable consumption between 2000 and 2013 compared with the recovery since 2013. Click here to enlarge (Source: CSO)
These are some of the data presented on Friday, January 13th during the CSO Italy press conference in Bologna.
Fresh produce consumption has been recorded at 8.1 million tons, 4.5 million of which are fruit and citrus fruit and 4.7 million of which are vegetables. The consumption of products with a high innovation content is on the rise (top performer: radicchio, salad, apples, strawberries, nectarines, melons).
The top performing products. Click here to enlarge. (Source: CSO)
The total volumes purchased by retailers grew by 44% between 2000 and 2015 while traditional retail sales dropped and purchase volumes on other channels are increasing (gas, farmer markets, e commerce, etc).
The families buying more fruit and vegetables are singles (261 kg/year) and couples (193 Kg/year per capita).
Click here to enlarge.
For what concerns exports, growth has been constant at +9% between 2005 and 2015. Italy currently exports 3.8 million tons of produce.
Click here to enlarge.
For what concerns exports, growth has been constant at +9% between 2005 and 2015. Italy currently exports 3.8 million tons of produce.
Imports stopped at 2.9 million tons, with a 7% drop during the first 9 months of 2016 with respect to 2015. This in turn means a positive balance of 880 thousand tons.
"The year is looking better than the previous one for both pears and kiwis thanks to lower volumes but excellent quality. This of course has an influence on prices," reports CSO Italy director Elisa Macchi.