Grower leaders in major European producer-countries are calling on their members not to harvest fruit too early, in a delayed start to the season for most major lines.
In Italy, Luciano Trentini of the CSO said: “Increasingly there is a tendency to anticipate the start of the season and put product onto not just the Italian, but main export markets that does not have the right eating quality, especially for ready-to-eat purchases. This is the case for kiwifruits, pears and a host of other products that have found their way onto the market this week without meeting the necessary quality requirements.
“This situation does nothing more than increase consumer disaffection for our products and tarnish the image of the great many producers who operate in a correct manner.”
Producers’ association Ava-Asaja in Spain has made a similar call to the citrus sector following untimely harvesting of early easy-peeler varieties already. “The situation is especially delicate,” said association president Cristóbal Aguado. “We are right at the very beginning of a new orange season and any false move could cost us dearly. ”
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