A year on, averages are positive for the peaches and nectarines sector.
As for export, Cristian Moretti, director of Agrintesa, affirms: "In the UK there was not the dreaded Brexit effect. The English market is no longer a target one like 8-10 years ago; in the meantime Spanish exports have caught on. However, for specific items, such as nectarines or plums, it is still an important market. From a commercial point of view, the relationship continued as usual."
Agrintesa sells about 70 thousand tons of products, 55 thousand of which are nectarines and 15 thousand are peaches; in addition 5 thousand tons are delivered to the processing industry for quality juices. Exports amount to 70% of the traded goods. The production area is mainly located in the province of Ravenna. Starting from 2015 Alegra, the Agrintesa commercial branch, also manages the production of Campoverde Osas cooperative in the plain of Sybaris in Calabria.
After two very difficult seasons such as 2014 and 2015, this year producers can breathe easy. It was not an excellent campaign in terms of prices, but the market has responded. The Peach and nectarine sector is unable to communicate with consumers. Trademarks created so far had not the right media push or the product has not the quality expected by consumers.
"The campaign had a very regular trend, adds the director of Agrintesa, both in terms of harvest schedule, without overlap between Southern and Northern Italy, and in terms of quality, thanks to favourable weather."
More active export markets were in Central Europe, mainly Germany and the UK. East European countries have not lived up to Agrintesa expectations. These countries preferred to buy fruit from other production areas, such as Spain.