It is still early to make an overall assessment, but we can say the strawberry campaign, albeit fluctuating, is doing rather well.
"When you have healthy high-quality produce, the market responds well. We lost 30-40% of our production due to frost in April, but what was left is doing well. We are currently harvesting the Sibilla, Aprica and Argentero varieties. Aprica was the one that was affected the most, while Argentero is a late variety and reacted well. I can say prices have fluctuated quite a lot," reports producer Antonio Benzi from Cesena.
Benzi supplies domestic and foreign retailers. It is now considering growing Aprica on open fields to obtain a second harvest over the next few months and then keeping the plants for next year. "Quality is not affected by this, although quantities are lower. It is not a problem though, as the final savings mean our balance remains positive."
Mauro Battistini, director of Orogel Fresco, confirms that the beginning of the campaign did not go so well. "Then prices increased and remained high until Mother's Day. They dropped slightly when produce from central and northern Europe became available."
Good-quality strawberries are doing not too bad. The varieties currently being harvested by Orogel Fresco partners are mainly Sibilla and Roxana.
"70% of the production is medium-early, while the rest is medium-late. We always recommend covering orchards with polytunnels so fruit is protected from frost, rain and sunlight."