"Because of the Russian ban, we are currently working with a Turkish supplier (Alternatif Export Import Agriculture Food Ltd Mr. Ali Özen) to export grapes on the Polish market. According to what's reported by the operator, currently the Turkish Early Sweet variety is sold at €1.9-2.10 - it is the country's earliest variety and harvesting started three-four days ago. Volumes are though limited and generally production only lasts three-four weeks," explains Cluadio Romano (in the photo), sales manager for Romaneuro, a company located in Bari that has been importing and exporting fruit and vegetables in Europe since 2000.
"For what concerns the early varieties, they are cultivated on open fields on the Turkish Mersin hills and will be ready from mid-July onwards. Then it will be the turn of grapes from the Manisa region. The produce seems to be 15 days early due to the hot dry weather. Sultana Seedless will be ready in early August. Vines are expected to yield 50% less, but this will not affect prices, which will remain in line with previous seasons."
It is not the first time that Romaneuro imports Turkish fruit for the Polish market, though it is the first time it does so with table grapes. "In the past, we imported watermelons. We specialise in exporting - contacts, documents, logistics. Our first responsibility is to represent Italian producers in foreign distributor areas and meet our clients' demands with high-quality products at competitive prices. We have a good reputation in Eastern Europe and operate in countries like Ukraine, Estonia, Czech Republic, Poland, Norway, England and the Netherlands dealing with supermarket chains, wholesalers, markets. We also work with China, the Arab countries, Colombia, Egypt and Brazil."
"For what concerns table grapes, most of our turnover derives from the cooperation with leading distributor chains in Poland. Spot sales are also being carried out in France and we are trying to work with a few German clients, though that market is pretty crowded. The Russian ban affected us quite a bit, that is why we have established relationships overseas, and mainly in Dubai, Oman, Qatar and Brazil."
"This last country might sound a bit odd, as it is a big grape producer with two harvests a year, but the Italian Red Globe variety is quite popular because it had a different shape and colour, thus meeting some demands from the Brazilian market. You still need to keep in mind distance and exchange rate though. Another important market for our grapes is Spain, especially in October, November and early December."
Romaneuro holds the GlobalGap and Certiquality certifications and, during summer months, it produces mainly Victoria, Italia and Red Globe grapes on thirty hectares. "The Victoria vine is quite old and we will probably replace it. Though supply in general is already excessive, we will focus on innovative seedless varieties. That is why I will go back to Brazil, where I have already found something. The new varieties should enable us to stand out on the domestic market."
In addition, the company can count on a vast network of affiliated producers that grow radishes, fennel, dill, kohlrabi, Lollo and Trocadero lettuce, clementines, lemons, Moro oranges, parsley, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, broccoli, artichokes, cauliflower, lettuce, apples and rocket. Its main suppliers are located in Southern Italy, especially Sicily and Apulia, but the distribution chain extends to Trentino Alto Adige.
Going back to grapes, Romano stresses how the Sicilian varieties are currently on stand-by, meaning they are ready, though in limited quantities. "We need to disregard the prices of these first few batches and the varieties initially available will be Black Magic and Victoria. Ripe bunches are sold at €3.70-3.80 per kilo. Those that are not ripe yet will be ready from the first week of June onwards."
"In addition to grapes, at the moment we are also selling Sicilian blood oranges, Golden apples from Trentino destined to Egypt (as long as the political situation will allow it) and we should start importing lemons in a few days. The vegetable campaign is coming to an end - radishes from Latina did well, just like broccoli and cauliflower from Apulia. We also started selling new potatoes to Eastern European countries and France. Prices are quite good."
