Italian apple and pear producer association Assomela and its French counterpart, the Association Nationale Pommes & Poires (ANPP), have been highly critical of the prices being paid to producers during the past few weeks for new-season fruit.
The two organisations called on all players in the apple supply chain in both countries to push for closer collaboration in order to offer consumers high-quality apples throughout the course of the season at the right price for every member of that chain.
“In no instance are the prices being offered to producers justified when in reality this is a commercial campaign which promises to be balanced,' they said in a joint statement.
France and Italy together represent approximately 35 per cent of the European Union apple market, and Assomela has agreed to work more closely with ANPP following a meeting between the two organisations in Paris, France.
Discussions on matters such as export development, the removal of trade barriers in overseas markets and the establishment of new credit facilities for growers – something which has happened in France but not yet in Italy – were seen as 'extremely positive' by members of both groups.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that this year's total apple crop within the EU will be around 6 per cent lower than in 2008.
While production in both France and Italy was more or less in line with that seen last year, hail damage has reduced the crop and sizing overall is higher than last season, the groups announced.
The meeting also heard about apple consumption levels in the EU, which reportedly dipped at the start of this season following several years of stability.
However, it was also agreed that consumers, aware of the potential health benefits of eating apples, would continue to show a preference for the fruit during the coming European campaign.
