EVENTI

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It is estimated that in the 2023-2024 season, shipments of fresh blueberries will reach a total volume of 256,481 tonnes (226,434 tonnes of conventional blueberries and 30,047 tonnes of organic blueberries), a decrease of -10% compared to the 2022-2023 season.

On Tuesday, 26 September, the 'Gil Program Annual Event' was held at G-Berries in Cesena. The all-day event was a meeting opportunity for operators and experts in the berries sector with a full programme dedicated entirely to varietal development.

Blackberries are a year-round source of money for the industry. Retail sales amount to £1.7 billion per year, while berries as a whole will contribute £3.18 billion to the British economy over the next five years.

The free downloadable report (62 pages) includes the data collected over the past 12 months by Italian Berry through the Berry Retail Monitor, the Online Retail Monitor and the semi-annual GfK - Italian Berry report on consumption and purchasing behaviour of Italian households.

What is different about this release? Unlike previous parasitic wasps released to combat the invasive marbled bug in Zurich or the Comstock scale in Valais, Ganaspis brasiliensis is not yet present in Switzerland. It is therefore the first exotic beneficial insect released for biological pest control in Switzerland since the entry into force of the Swiss Release Ordinance in 2008.

Figures show that the group's total revenue in the first half of this year reached USD 503 million (approximately RMB 3.66 billion), This growth was mainly due to a 16.3% increase in fresh fruit sales, while prices did not change significantly.

The berry category in Turin this week saw Carrefour Market as the most convenient store, with blueberries at € 1.35 per 125g. The survey took place on 18/09/2023 in the urban area of Bologna and covered 20 shops.

Prices of small Italian berries are rising: strawberries from Trentino up to 8€/kg, blueberries are expensive, raspberries 20€/kg in Cesena. Italian blackberries range between 12€ and 17€/kg. Redcurrants range from 12€ to 22€/kg. In the market, prices are lower in Verona.

South African blueberry exporters have reported good market performance this season, although the start of production has been slow. The industry still has the target of exporting about 25,000 tonnes this marketing year.