ROME: Italy’s share in the global trade of fresh fruit and vegetables (US$ 156 billion) fell over the past decade from 5.1 per cent to 3.6 per cent, according to a report by Nomisma on the state of the national fruit and vegetable sector.
During the same period, Italy’s share of processed fruit and vegetables exports (US$ 56 billion) decreased from 7.7 per cent to 6.5 per cent. Due to increased competition from major players such as the US (whose share has increased for both types of products) and China (which has risen from 5.2 per cent to 8.6 per cent in fresh), the global market has seen the emergence of new competitors.
For example, in terms of global trade of table grapes, Peru went from 1 per cent to 7 per cent export share. In terms of kiwi exports, Iran rose from 0 per cent to 5 per cent. In terms of citrus fruit, Egypt went from 2 per cent to 9 per cent. Due to the Russian embargo, Belarus has now become a relevant trader, accounting for 5 per cent of the world apple trade. Although China has become a strong exporter, the Chinese market in 2015 imported around US$ 8.6 billion of fresh fruit and vegetables, or 631 per cent more than ten years earlier.
