Apulia, the Italian queen of cherries, is facing an unexpected weather event that risks upsetting the season. In June, the Apulian production could in fact be cut by 50% due to late frosts that hit the area, especially in the Bari province.
A hard blow for the local producers, in particular for the famous Ferrovia variety.
Despite the promising start of the cherry campaign, with excellent quality and prices 10% above average, the near future looks difficult. Nicola Giuliano, head of Giuliano Puglia Fruit, does not hide his concern: “Inspections in the late-production fields do not look promising.
The early April frost burned the pistils of the flowers, severely compromising the harvests, especially of the Ferrovia, our flagship for the second part of the season.”
The first forecasts speak of at least a 50% loss in the production expected in June, but losses could even exceed this threshold.
However, the campaign had started with positive signals. Early varieties, such as Bigarreaux, showed good size and excellent quality, pushing prices up to 10% above the seasonal average.
Giuliano explains: “As long as we stay in the first half of May, there will be no problems. From mid-May onwards we expect a slight drop in prices with the increase in consumption.”
Looking at June, the picture is more complex: lower quantities but larger sizes and probably higher prices. A scenario that could favor, commercially speaking, national competitors from Northern Italy (Emilia Romagna and Veneto) and foreign players like Turkey and Greece, ready to capture part of the European demand.
The Apulian case highlights the vulnerability of crops to climate change and the increasing weather unpredictability.
For Italy and Europe, it will become increasingly crucial to invest in varietal research and agronomic techniques capable of protecting crops from extreme events.
The challenge is open: to protect the agricultural heritage without giving up the quality that distinguishes made in Italy.
Source: corriereortofrutticolo.it
Image: SL Fruit Service
10 Jun 2024
On 5 June, six tonnes of fresh cherries were shipped to China in a reefer container. This important milestone marks the beginning of a promising export relationship between Pakistan and China, facilitated by the phytosanitary agreement signed between the two countries in 2022.
14 Jun 2024
Frutas de Chile and the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) are already working to mitigate the impact of this quarantine. Representatives of the two organisations are in China to propose alternatives that could make it less burdensome for Chilean producers.
01 Aug 2025
Turkey’s cherry and sour cherry production rises, prompting innovative ways to manage waste. Çurkova and Ege universities explore biochar from cherry residues to enhance asphalt durability and sustainability, supporting eco-friendly infrastructure.
01 Aug 2025
Dried cherry production in Chile is growing with GoodValley, aiming to reduce waste and enhance value. From the Colchagua Valley to Asia, the strategy focuses on expanding exports and finding markets for an innovative and increasingly appreciated product.
