The Fresh Berry Observatory on 10 November 2026 in Padua paints a challenging picture, with no substantial changes since the previous survey: availability remains very limited across all products, while prices remain high. Shelf space has narrowed further, both in terms of the area allocated and the range of pack sizes. The most common pack is still 125 grams, with some 250–300-gram options for blueberries.
High prices are slowing sales, and older batches can be found on the shelves: most of the product was packed at the beginning of last week. This is therefore a difficult week for sales, with no promotions and only a limited presence of brands. The main brands are the ones most commonly available and appear to be the only ones able to source the product.
In Padua, today’s Fresh Berry Observatory visited 16 retail outlets representing 16 banners from 13 grocery retail groups.
The banners were: Aldi, Alì, Conad City, Conad Superstore, Coop, Eurospar, Eurospin, Famila, iN's, Iperlando, Lidl, MD, Prix, Rossetto, Spazio Conad, Super A&O.
Product range: 3.6 items per store
The stores visited carried between one and seven items, with an average of 3.6 items.
Raspberries were available in 75% of stores; blueberries in 100%; blackberries in 56%; redcurrants in 38%; mixed berries in 19%; and berry trios in 13%.
Range breadth: four or more items in 58% of stores
Here is how the range was distributed: 13% of stores carrying soft fruit had just one item, while 38% had two or three. The remaining 49% had four or more items on sale.
Quality
Quality refers to the condition of the product, assessed by the Observatory’s technicians according to the following criteria: absence of significant defects; sound product but not in ideal condition (not fresh, tired, shrivelled, dull or lacking bloom); presence of damaged fruit and juice; and presence of spoiled fruit and mould.
The retail groups with the highest quality were Alì Supermercati, Conad, Coop, Eurospin, F.lli Lando, Gruppo Pam, Lidl, MD, Prix and Selex.
Selling prices
Raspberries (12 observations): min. €19.92/kg – max. €28.00/kg – average €23.91/kg
Blueberries (31 observations): min. €12.48 /kg – max. €25.33/kg – average €19.53/kg
Blackberries (10 observations): min. €19.92/kg – max. €28.00/kg – average €23.91/kg
Redcurrants (6 observations): min. €18.32/kg – max. €28.00 /kg – average €22.44/kg
Berry trio (2 observations): min. €26.60/kg – max. €26.60/kg – average €26.60/kg.
Overall total (61 observations): min. €12.48/kg – max. €28.00/kg – average €21.63/kg.
18 brands
The stores visited carried soft fruit from a total of 18 brands. Calliari Carmelo had the highest average prices. Beta had the lowest average prices for blueberries, followed by Don Ricardo.
Packaging
39% of the blueberry items surveyed were sold in packs with a net weight of 125 grams.
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