CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ITALIAN APPLE SECTOR

The regular monthly meeting of the Assomela Marketing Committee took place on Tuesday, 9th May. The committee members analyzed the recent market conditions of the Italian apple sector. As of May 1st, the stocks of Italian apples amounted to 378,311 tons, which is 10% lower than the average of the previous five years and 16% lower than the previous season. Notably, the inventory for Golden Delicious apples is at an exceptionally low level, currently standing at 163,263 tons. This figure is similar to that of 2018, representing a significant 35% decrease compared to the previous year and accounting for only one-third of the total production.

Over the past month, sales of Red Delicious apples have witnessed a notable acceleration, showing a 13% increase compared to the previous year. This growth can be attributed to a positive response from foreign markets, particularly in India. Similarly, stocks of Fuji apples, at 16,297 tons, have declined by 37% compared to last year. The new apple varieties have experienced satisfactory sales and have been well-received by consumers. Although the sales trend of organic apples has shown improvement, it has not matched the performance of previous years. The destocking process in April, despite having fewer sales days, remained fairly active. This was facilitated by favorable climate conditions, despite the deviation from typical spring weather patterns.

Currently, there is an imbalance between the demand and supply of certain apple varieties, particularly Golden Delicious. As a result, producers need to carefully manage destocking plans to ensure a consistent supply to the market until the next commercial season begins. It is crucial to guarantee fair remuneration for the fruit growers by appropriately valuing the product, as the costs have significantly increased compared to those in 2018.

Conclusion

Alongside the existing challenges, Assomela is closely monitoring the proposed EU regulations on packaging and packaging waste. The regulation suggests permitting the use of packaging only for sales units exceeding 1.5 kg. If implemented, this measure could give rise to various issues, including the potential for increased food waste. Moreover, it would overlook the considerable efforts made by the apple sector in recent years to adopt more sustainable packaging solutions. Registration for Prognosfruit, the annual event, has officially commenced. This year, it will be in Trentino, Italy from 2nd to 4th August. The event offers an invaluable opportunity for the entire sector to discuss production forecasts for the upcoming 2023/2024 season and address the numerous challenges confronting the Italian and European apple industries.

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11 May 2023