Importer expects ‘very positive’ European season, as industry continues shift towards high-performing, licensed varieties
Fresh produce importer Kölla says a slight delay in table grape volumes out of Italy should not detract from what is expected to be a very positive European season, after stable growing conditions reportedly laid the foundations for good quality and a stable market.
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“We currently see a slight shift in timing, but no fundamental issues in development,” explained Kölla Italia quality manager Nicola Melillo. “What really matters is that the plants are healthy, and they are.”
While slight reductions are observed in some regions – particularly for early varieties in Italy – overall supply is understood to be well balanced.
Spain and Greece are said to be “broadly in line” with last year’s levels, and Turkey is expected to provide good availability, particularly in the late season.
Early shipments show good quality levels, the company noted. Fruit development is said to be uniform, and the increasing summer temperatures are expected to further support ripening, taste, and sugar levels.
“Fruit development is currently very consistent – especially the stable conditions during flowering have been key to the quality we are now seeing,” said the group’s Valencia-based import sales manager for Germany, Jorge Martinez Cañamas.
High-performance focus
According to Kölla, a defining feature of the current season will be a continued shift in terms of the varieties available.
Following years of diversification in which seedless grapes have emerged to dominate supply, producers are said to have increasingly focus on a smaller number of high-performing and more marketable varieties that are grown and sold under licence.
Italy’s table grape industry is regarded as central to this development. For Kölla, varieties such as Autumn Crisp continue to gain relevance, while new red varieties are steadily replacing older standard types.
Spain, meanwhile, has further strengthened its position in licensed varieties, while Greece is also said to be gradually modernising its portfolio and closing the gap with more established origins.
“From Kölla’s perspective, this trend clearly leads to higher quality, more stable programmes, and greater differentiation within the European market.”
Slight delay in Italy
In Italy, the. company describes the overall situation as positive, although more varied on a regional level.
In Puglia, cooler spring conditions and higher rainfall have reportedly led to a slight delay in development – equal to just a few days – while in Sicily conditions have been “more dynamic”.
“A pronounced cold spell during the transition into spring – combined with strong winds and heavy rainfall – significantly slowed vine development,” the group stated.
“Continued unstable weather conditions have contributed to a slight delay in coloration and sugar accumulation. At the same time, these events did not cause any lasting damage to the vineyards.
“Vine health remains strong, and with rising temperatures, the current delays are expected to largely level out over the course of the season.”
