The Association of Val Venosta Fruit and Vegetable Cooperatives (VI.P) has seen increasing demand for its fresh apples in emerging markets this season, helping to soften the impact of stagnant sales in its more traditional European markets.
Following a positive start to the season – thanks in part to an earlier-than-expected harvest which ensured a good flow of product through to market during the first few weeks – VI.P's commercial manager Fabio Zanesco said the group had seen a modest slowdown in European sales between December and the start of January, mainly as a result of the worsening situation in the general economy.
This downward trend had since stablised, he added, with the intervening period characterised by stable demand in Europe.
'In general it's not a positive period for consumers,' Zanesco commented, 'but we are optimistic for the future given the excellent quality of product we can offer until the end of next September.'
VI.P's apple sales may have taken a slight dip over December, but by early February the group's overall sales for its major varieties remained in line with projections.
Prices have been less than satisfactory, however, making it difficult to guarantee a good level of payment for growers.
Zanesco continued: 'In any case, even if we are seeing a certain calmness in the traditional markets of different European countries, where sales are stable and occasionally falling, overseas markets like North Africa and the Middle East are proving very interesting for our product, and it is in these extra-European markets that we are seeing good increases.'
He added: 'We are confident in any case that the Italian market will come back and consolidate around quality products, despite the economic difficulties with which we all have to contend.'
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