The UK is the third largest market for Italian fruit and vegetables, according to statistics shared by Paolo Pesce, head of the Food Department of ICE Düsseldorf, at Fruit Logistica.

The UK takes five per cent of the fruit exported by Italian companies and six per cent of the vegetables, trailing way behind Germany, which takes 40 per cent of Italy’s fruit exports and 50 per cent. France is in second place, accounting for nine per cent of both fruit and veg exports from Italy.

Italy’s total exports amount to just over three million tones. A total of 262 Italian exhibitors travelled to Berlin for Fruit Logistica, reflecting the importance of the German market to their trade. They were accompanied by the ministers of agriculture of the regions of Sicily and Calabria. More regional presence came from Buonitalia, the promotion agency of the Italian ministry of agriculture, the regions of Sicily, Calabria and Basilicata, the Campania regional export promotion organization and the Rome Chamber of Commerce.