EVENTI

Dominika Kozarzewska of Polskie Jagody provided Fruitnet with a report on the state of the blueberry industry in Poland as 2023 draws to a close. Expanding the customer base both domestically and abroad was the main goal in 2023.

The Global Blueberry Price Index of the Italian Berry basket as measured on 22/11/2023 increased by 2.6 per cent compared to the previous week, driven by the standard segment, which rose by almost +4 per cent.

In the 20 points of sale visited in the 21/11/2023 survey of the Berry Retail Monitor, medium-high prices prevail against generally good quality. The time profile of stocks on the shelves is also interesting, suggesting good rotation.

The latest event organised by Sant'Orsola, in collaboration with Gruppo Itas Assicurazioni, offered an in-depth look at climate change and its implications for agriculture, especially berry cultivation.

The European Commission has approved an aid program for Polish raspberry growers whose plantations suffered severe damage this year due to spring frost or hailstorms causing low prices for produce for processing.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee reduces export estimates to 76,500 tons for the 2023-2024 season. Andrés Armstrong attributes the revision to rains and weather events, but reports so far an 18 percent growth in exports over the previous season.

There was a slight increase in the price index for the Italian retail during week 46: growth in currants at +7.2%, with blackberries and blueberries growing slightly by +1%. The number of references also increased, with a total of 56 representing a growth of +17%.

Slight decline in the global retail price index in week 46/2023: organic fell compared to the previous week with -6.86%, with standard and premium segments unchanged. The discount segment was also up, growing by +2.77% since last week.

In Bologna on 14/11/2023 the quality of all references tended to be good due to a rather fast rotation. Most production batches belong to no earlier than 11 November. Prices remain high due to the lack of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries in production.

The report illustrates how demand for strawberries and blueberries has steadily increased since the turn of the millennium, leading to substantial growth in both domestic production and exports due to new varieties, technological advances and expansion of areas.