In Bologna, prices are falling, especially for blueberries, due to the drop in consumption after the holidays. Blackberries and raspberries, on the other hand, remain strong. The quality remains fresh, as do the production batches, but there is a general decline in the quantity of SKUs on the shelves, to the point of a few stock breaks. Chilean blueberries appeared for the first time, generally presenting good quality. Supply from Mexico for raspberries also continued, a sign of the lack of European supply at the moment (Morocco, Spain, Italy and Portugal).

The International Small Fruit Conference is dedicated to promoting discussions on various aspects of berries production. With more than 750 participants from over 40 countries, 100 exhibitors and a conference programme with international keynote speakers, this event promises to be a centre of valuable insights.

With more than 35 million plants distributed for the 2023/24 campaign, which is equivalent to a 14% increase compared to the last campaign, the strawberry variety NSG 203 (marketed under the brand name Marimbella®) is the cultivar most in demand among growers. Used both as rooted top and fresh plant, Marimbella® is already in production in Campania, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily.

The price index rose to +2.2 per cent in the first week of 2024: raspberries (+4.2 per cent) and blueberries (+1.8 per cent) rose, while prices for blackberries and currants remained unchanged. The number of SKUs fell sharply from 53 last week to 41.

The global price index fell in the first week of 2024: -1.3% driven by the decline of the standard segment to -3.80%. In contrast, the organic segment grew with an increase of 5.11%. The number of SKUs also decreased to 46 from 51 in the previous week.

In Brescia, blueberries present themselves as an affordable option, with moderate prices echoing the needs of the value-for-money consumer. However, the analysis reveals significant fluctuations in the costs of blackberries, raspberries and currants, with variations depending on the different retailers.

Optimisation is the motto of the International Berry Conference 2024, which will be held next March in Poland in a two-day format. The first day (7 March) will be held at the Mazurkas Hotel in Ożarów Mazowiecki, near Warsaw. The second day will be in the field.

Italian retail price index showing blackberry and raspberry increasing by more than 4 percent compared to the previous week, while the blueberries dropped by 1.9 percent in week 52/2023.

The Packer's Organic Fresh Trends 2024 survey revealed that younger consumers, ethnic minorities (particularly blacks/African Americans), and families with one or two children were more likely to report buying organic blueberries.