Italy

Europe’s apple forecast down slightly, pears up double digits

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:42:28 GMT

The World Apple and Pear Association is forecasting Europe’s 2020 apple production to drop slightly from last season, but pears will see a double-digit increase.

The association (WAPA) meets annually at the Prognosfruit Conference, which changed to a virtual event on Aug. 6, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group releases its annual production forecast at Prognosfruit .

The forecast for apples includes reports from 21 countries, with Poland (3.4 million tons) Italy (2.1 million tons) and France (1.4 million tons) leading production. Overall European production is forecast at 10.71 million tons in Europe, a 1% from 2019, and a 4% drop in the three-year average, according to the WAPA report.

Poland’s apple production is expected to be up from the low production in 2019, with a 17% increase from year-to-year, but that’s still a 4% drop from the three-year average.

Europe’s top variety production forecasts are:

Golden delicious: 2 million tons;
Galas: 1.5 million tons;
Red delicious: 660,000 tons;
Idared: 598,000 tons; and
Shampion: 444,000 tons.

The WAPA breaks down estimates from more than 2 dozen varieties, and assorted other varieties still add up to 1.7 million tons, according to the release.
European pears

There are 19 countries whose productions are included in the European report.

According to the WAPA, the forecasted pear production of 2.2 million tons is a 12% increase from last year’s production, but just 1% over the three-year average.

Countries with the largest pear crops this season are Italy (642,000 tons), The Netherlands (373,000 tons) and Belgium (362,000 tons), according to the WAPA.

Leading pear varieties are:

Conference: 927,000 tons, a 4% increase from 2019;
Abate Fetel: 287,000, which is just over double of the previous season, but just 9% over the three-year average; and
Williams’ bon chrétien, aka Bartlett in the U.S.: 242,000 tons

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Trucco offers red kiwifruit from Italy

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:13:32 GMT

Make room for red kiwifruit.

New York-based importer Trucco is now marketing red kiwifruit from Italy.

Trucco is an importer of kiwifruit from Italy and also is known for imports of Italian chestnuts, garlic, fresh figs, citrus and dried fruits and nuts, according to a news release.

With green, gold, organic and now red kiwifruit, the release said Trucco is well-equipped to provide U.S. consumers with a more diverse selection of kiwifruit than ever before.

Trucco’s red kiwifruit is now available in limited quantities, according to the release, and its future distribution will be evaluated as the variety is discovered by consumers.

The recent success of the gold varieties, in the U.S. and globally, has pushed the industry to look at kiwifruit in a different way, according to the release.

“Changing consumer trends has brought kiwifruit mainstream and will open opportunities for this unusual colored fruit to succeed,” the company said in the release.

The outward appearance of the red kiwifruit is similar to the smooth-skinned gold kiwifruit, according to the release. The fruit’s interior features a distinctive red core and offers a hints of berry in the sweet kiwi taste, according to the release.

“While still in the early stages Trucco is excited for the possibilities the new variety brings,” the company said in the release. For more information about the red kiwifruit program, contact Sasha Lopresti at slopresti@truccodirect.com.

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Italian produce show postponed

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:28:14 GMT

Citing the spread of the coronavirus, organizers of the Italian international fruit and vegetable expo Macfrut have rescheduled the event from May to September.

“Due to the progressive spread of the Covid-19 virus, the board of directors of Cesena Fiera decided to move Macfrut to Sept. 8-10 in Rimini, Italy, instead of holding it May 5-7,” the news release said.

Italy has more than 7,300 confirmed cases of the coronavirus covid-19, third globally behind China and South Korea, according to the Johns Hopkins live tracker of the outbreak on May 24.

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Macfrut produce show in Italy plans for in-person and digital elements

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 22:26:14 GMT

Macfrut , an international produce trade fair, is scheduled for Sept. 7-9 at Italy’s Rimini Expo Centre.

The 37th edition of the show will have both an on-site exhibition and digital opportunities, according to a news release.

The event had originally been scheduled for May 4-6.

Organizers said those who take part in Macfrut 2021 will have both a stand on-site at the trade fair and also a virtual booth on a digital platform (macfrutdigital.com), which the release said will allow them to expand their business opportunities in “both directions.”

‘Once again, Macfrut has pioneered an innovative, future-oriented project,” Renzo Piraccini, president of Macfrut, said in the release. “There is a great desire in the industry to meet in person, to enjoy the human contact that we have been longing for such a long time. At the same time, we are aware of the fact that the current situation has completely changed the way we see things... we want to be the first to offer an innovative format that combines a physical and digital trade fair in one.”

Storm damage reported for Italy’s citrus crop

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 13:47:17 GMT

The Mediterranean hurricane has hit eastern Sicily (Italy), threatens crops, and has already destroyed new plants.

Monitoring in the citrus-growing areas of the Plain of Catania is ongoing. At least a week’s respite will be required to estimate the damage, but our goal is to fully recover the production trend.

“It was a continuous flood - states Nello Alba, CEO of Oranfrizer - We immediately joined forces to rescue resources and people in difficulty who, during the most acute moments of the downpour, were able to find safety in our premises. We are hosting the Italian Civil Protection, the Red Cross, and the Fire Brigade, offering services and electricity.

“About four hectares of sicilian production facilities were completely destroyed by flooding. The largest part remains available but every hour of rain is now a problem. We are waiting for the state of emergency to be declared, and we hope that, this time, full compensation measures will be guaranteed, and quickly. In Italy the Sicilian farmers have already suffered the 2018 flood. 80% of the resources to cover the serious damage caused by that disaster have been cut, and now that meager 20% has yet to be provided. In order to recover the destroyed citrus groves, it is necessary to return the full amount.”

The consequences of this critical phase remain to be seen. In line with the strategy of the parent company Unifrutti Europe, the Italian company Oranfrizer will start the 2021/22 citrus season with the selection of the first varieties of blonde oranges, which will enter the fruit and vegetable departments shortly before the more eagerly awaited blood oranges.

In 2020, despite demand curves turning downward after the spread of Covid, volumes distributed in Italy were stable.

The next citrus season will be marked by a shortage of volumes, with around 30% less product available. Oranfrizer will focus on the Tarocco Ippolito, Sciara, Meli and Sant Alfio sicilian cultivars.

“In Sicily we will restore the citrus groves damaged by the storm. With all Italian available crops, we will strive to meet the demand to respond to the trend of orange consumption, which is growing slightly - stated Gianluca Defendini, CEO of Unifrutti Europe - The increase in consumers is driven mainly by the valuable Vitamin C content, and there is also a growing trend in the search for citrus fruits with red flesh and edible skin, so we will intensify production of these. We are investing in excellent territories both in Italy and in other production countries, and we will expand low chemical and chemical-free cultivation “.

Blood oranges and other citrus fruits from Sicily will mainly be distributed in Italy, but will also be exported, mainly to European and UK markets. In order to achieve positive impacts and to consolidate the high opinion of the quality of Italian citrus fruits abroad, it is crucial to not only supervise the production chain and the precise controls in the field, but also to ensure transport, and closely monitor the preservation of the fresh fruits until they reach their sales destinations.

High-quality citrus fruits with edible peel have always been one of the strong points of the Sicilian supply chain overseen by Oranfrizer, which today, more than ever, ambitiously pushes itself to the international level. Fruit consumer habits are evolving and will be carefully accommodated, along with market dynamics that reward sustainability and quality.

Defendini concludes: “For 365 days a year, the markets will alternate between harvests - based on the season - of different products located in Italy, Argentina and South Africa. There is no competition between the productions of the different countries in which we operate with Unifrutti; rather, there is continuity. Diversification of supply will ensure a constant supply of high-quality citrus fruits “.

Illegally grown grape harvest donated to aid nonprofit

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:19:26 GMT

Proceeds from the sale of illegally planted grapes will support an organization that helps women who are victims of violence.

Bakersfield, Calif.-based International Fruit Genetics LLC had sought to end the unauthorized growing of its protected table grape varietal Sugar Crisp at a farm in Italy, according to a news release. A Court of Bari judge ruled Sept. 19 that the harvest could be donated to the nonprofit GIFAFFA Onlus, which was allowed to sell the fruit to a soft drink production company.

More than 45 tons of grapes were harvested from 2,284 plants subject to seizure by the court’s decision, the release said.

“Growing plants of any IFG proprietary grape variety without the permission of IFG infringes on our intellectual property rights as well as those of our licensees,” Andy Higgins, CEO of IFG, said in the release. “We will continue to enforce our policies to combat possible activities that violate our rights and those of our licensees.” He said the company is thankful for all who helped during the judicial process.

IFG also announced last week it was working with Peruvian authorities and the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation in the city of Ica, according to the release, to identify other sites involved in illegal operations involving the company’s protected table grape varieties.

Italy wants access to the U.S. market for finger limes

Tue, 17 May 2022 14:18:58 GMT

The Government of Italy has asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of fresh Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) for consumption into the United States.

APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that describes potential pests associated with the commodity.

APHIS shares draft pest risk assessments to determine whether stakeholders have information that might lead us to revise the draft assessment before we identify pest mitigations and proceed with the commodity import approval process.

The draft pest risk assessment for Finger Lime fruit for consumption from Italy will be available for review and comment until June 17, 2021. To view the assessment or submit comments, go to the USDA website .

Italian SunGolds extend Zespri’s kiwifruit season

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:43:59 GMT

As Zespri Kiwifruit celebrates a successful consumer campaign, the company is expanding availability of its SunGold variety.

“A Real Snack for Real Life” promoted SunGold kiwifruit, and the company has seen a growth in consumer interest of the gold variety. Zespri is extending the season with Italian SunGolds (conventional and organic) for the North American market, according to a news release, as well as green kiwifruit.

Zespri’s Italian kiwifruit season runs from December through February, and New Zealand’s season is from May through November.

“Our consumer campaign and promotion were very successful,” Sarah Deaton, Zespri’s marketing manager for North America, said in a news release.

Overall, Zespri received more than 800,000 entries, including more than 100,000 unique entries, according to the release. The campaign, which targeted busy mothers, generated 164 million impressions, Deaton said.

“It’s exciting to watch the growth of the brand,” she said in the release. According to consumer data from Kantar Retail, Zespri’s brand awareness has increased by 117% in top markets, and more than 40% nationwide compared to last year.

The company expects to import more than 70% more conventional and organic SunGolds from Italy this season, according to the release.

Sun World International hails successes in intellectual property cases

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 19:57:40 GMT

Sun World International LLC says Italian courts ruled in favor of the company in four recent lawsuits against unlicensed growers who unlawfully produced and sold Sun World grape varieties.

Sun World said in a news release that it investigated, tracked and pursued legal action against the infringing growers, demonstrating the company’s commitment to not only its intellectual property, but also the interests of its licensed growers.

A global breeding and licensing company in business for more than 40 years, Sun World says it has more than 200 table grape patents and plant variety rights worldwide, along with proprietary offerings in stone fruit, cherries and mangoes. Sun World’s varieties are licensed to growers in 22 countries, the release said. 

“Sun World works vigorously worldwide to enforce its intellectual property,” Michael Stimson, general counsel and vice president of intellectual property for Sun World International, said in the release. “We continually monitor table grape growing regions and table grapes in consumer markets around the globe for potential infringement cases. As a result, through private and court-ordered investigations, we identified Sun World’s proprietary vines in four fields owned by unlicensed growers and, after a thorough investigation, pursued groundbreaking litigation against them.”

Sun World filed separate infringement lawsuits in the Italian courts against the four unlicensed growers, the release said.

The company said four growers in Apulia and Basilicata had unauthorized and unlawful plantings of Sun World’s proprietary varieties Sugrathirtyfive, Sugranineteen, Sugrathirteen and Sugraone. Sun World used evidence gathered by drone surveillance to convince an Italian court to issue an ex parte order for a court-appointed expert to confirm infringement, according to the release.

One defendant was ordered to allow Sun World to conduct an audit of the defendants’ financial records, the release said. One defendant was barred from entering his own vineyard to prevent harvesting the infringing grapes.

In the cases that the infringers refused to settle, courts ordered the defendants to pay Sun World’s court costs, attorney fees and damages, according to the release. Courts ordered vine removal by the defendants, and settlement agreements with Sun World also required removal of infringing vines, the company said.

“We make significant investments in the development of each of our unique and proprietary varieties, taking more than a decade and significant financial resources to develop a new variety, and we are pleased with the courts’ decisions to uphold our IP,” Stimson said in the release. “Sun World follows a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against infringement, pursuing each and every case it becomes aware of. So, while each of these infringing plantings were relatively small, the largest no more than 10 hectares, Sun World nonetheless pursued these cases to completion, through removal of the infringing plants. We hope these decisions send a clear message to any grower who infringes upon our IP: We will find you; we will pursue legal action against you, and we will prevail.”