Assomela says suppliers have ’largely withstood’ Middle East conflict, as strong sales and late-season timing helps to limit commercial impact
Italy’s apple exporters say they have avoided any major impact from the conflict in Iran, although the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf is said to have affected only a small number of shipments.
While the Middle East does represent a significant market for Italy, the disruption for its apple suppliers has apparently been limited thanks in part to the fact that the season was already approaching an end.
In addition, Fruitnet understands that some volumes have been diverted via Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, where port operations are understood to be active.
“A week after the outbreak of the conflict, we can say that the Italian apple sector, no stranger to facing crisis and geopolitical instability, has largely withstood the shock of the war,” commented Ennio Magnani, president of Assomela, after a meeting with leading exporters.
“The difficulties arising in the Strait of Hormuz have concerned the sector but have only marginally affected the commercial activities of apple-growing consortia.
“Cargoes are currently arriving, and the main ports are operational. It should be remembered that apples have intrinsic qualities that allow for excellent preservation even over long distances, making it possible to cope with various unexpected events and unplanned logistical changes.”
He added: “We obviously hope for a rapid deescalation of the conflict, which otherwise could have unpleasant consequences on several levels.”
Impossible to predict
Assomela director Giovanni Missanelli said the organisation continued to monitor the situation on a daily basis, although in some cases it was impossible to predict what might happen.
“The timing of the season is helping us,” he noted. “The marketing season for Middle Eastern countries is now in its final phase, as the arrival of produce from the Southern Hemisphere was already forecast for early March, resulting in a progressive decline in goods from Italy. We are therefore confident we can continue the positive trend of recent months.”
Strong sales in February have helped too, the group said, with the volume sold out of Trentino-South Tyrol 4.4 per cent above the three-year average.
As a result, remaining stocks of Golden Delicious were 3.9 per cent lower on the same period, while Red Delicious stocks were 40 per cent down at 38,432 tonnes.
Gala stocks, which are expected to be exhausted by the first half of April, stood at 33,667 tonnes, in line with the three-year average and representing 8 per cent of the total.
