Italian apple producers are looking forward to a relatively stable season, following a bumper 2008-09 harvest and a subsequently difficult export market.
Gerhard Dichgans, managing director of the VOG Association, told freshinfo: “In general, last season was extremely tough. After a positive start to the campaign, in autumn the upwardly revised crop forecasts turned the market situation on its head. We witnessed the continual erosion of prices, exacerbated by the economic crisis and the stagnation of consumption.”
The VOG Association reports that the South Tyrolean crop in 2009-10 will be down around five per cent on last year, while European apple production will fall by seven per cent.
As well as good colouring, the fruits of the Terlano-based association have excellent sales prospects for the coming season. However, the UK may lose out as an export market to the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.
Dichgans, pictured, said: “The volume of apples we want to ship to the UK is around five per cent [equating to around 25,000 tonnes] of total turnover. This will be difficult to achieve, as a good UK crop will make Royal Gala sales difficult in the first part of season.”
However, the prospects for 2009-10 are looking good in terms of fruit quality.
“The cool climate in recent days has contributed to excellent colouring, which this year gives our production area a significant competitive edge,” said Dichgans.
VOG projects that Royal Gala will see a similar crop to the 2008-09 season, with a slight fall in volumes. Larger fruits - over 80mm in diameter - are in short supply and the first batches are sized at 70-80mm.
“The commercial strategy for the new campaign still targets Italy and Germany as the main reference markets, but we expect to considerably strengthen our presence abroad,” added Dichgans.
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