Italian table grape exporters will be hoping that volumes continue to move through the European market during early July following reported delays to the Spanish export campaign, which is resulting in a highly competitive trading environment as late Egyptian and Israeli grapes as well Moroccan and Spanish supplies compete for market share.
With volumes across Europe understood to be not all that high, prices are said to be reasonably high, but with the delays to Spanish arrivals, Italy’s own entry into the market this month could well follow a period of more depressed pricing.
Speaking to Fruitnet.com, Amleto Elia of Puglia-based exporter APOP said he was unsure what to expect when Italian grape exports get underway. “At the moment there are very few grapes around, brix levels are very low and prices are very high,” he reported. “Egypt has gone through quickly, but Spain is late, while Italy will probably be on time. From 20 June to 20 July I can see it being a disaster: Morocco and Spain will be arriving together.”
For Domenico Liturri of Agricoper, a leading exporter based in Noicattaro near Bari which supplies a number of major retailers in the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland, the coming season will bring with it a great deal of uncertainty. “The economic difficulties currently affecting Italy and other European nations have inevitably had an impact on the markets, but we are confident they will recover,” he said. “The reports we’re currently receiving from other exporters are not all that encouraging, however, so this summer is really going to be a major test.”
Egyptian white and red seedless varieties are continuing to move well through the European market, while prices for Israeli volumes have started to fall after peaking at the start of the month. Mr Elia said the fact that demand has been good for Israeli and Egyptian fruit and that prices are holding up bodes well.
“During periods of economic crisis, even if consumption falls, food tends to be affected less than other goods,” he argued. “If you look at prices for seedless grapes in the UK at the moment, you notice that prices at retail are higher than they were last year. This is strange, because it should be the opposite. I foresee a good season for Italy, and an excellent one for red varieties.'
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