ROME: The 2017 plum campaign is about to start, so we can make an assessment of the past campaign. 2016 started off well: the red varieties went back to normal volumes after the lower quantities of 2015 and the sale of black varieties was smoother, just like that of Stanley.
In Emilia Romagna, volumes of the leading variety, Angeleno, were higher than in 2015, yet not as abundant as 2014. Good volumes were also harvested in Piedmont, where the lower yields were compensated for by the production from the new trees. In the south, availability was slightly lower than 2015.
The higher quantities available favoured shipments abroad. Over the last year, Italian plum exports grew by 26% compared to 2015, reaching a level more similar to the average of 2012/2014. With over 57,600 tons, volumes were the highest of the past few years, 2014 excluded. At over €51 million, the value only increased by 6% compared to 2015 as a consequence of the drop of average export prices.
Italy’s main competitor is Spain, which handles double the quantities of Italian exports every year. The Netherlands, France and Hungary follow at a distance.
The plum domestic market is recovering: in 2016, retail purchases covered 64,400 tons, i.e. +7% compared to 2015 and +16% compared to ten years ago.
Per-capita consumption is rather low, little more than 1 kg a year. The penetration index is 62%, so there is room to grow.
