At 9 a.m. Italian time, 3 a.m. Chilean time, the official launch was given for Macfrut 2022, the fruit and vegetable fair that brings together the entire supply chain for agriculture and which, on this occasion, has the cherry as its symbolic fruit.
Exhibitors include various companies, including agricultural technologies, agrochemicals, packaging, startups, public and private organizations and, of course, cherry producers.
«For the In Italian agriculture, cherries are very important, especially for some regions, for example in the Emilia Romana area; in recent years, investment has been made in southern Italy, and they are one of the most consumed fruits at a national level., investment has been made in mountainous areas as well as in the plains, said Stefano Francia, President of the Agriculture and Life Association and member of Agricord.
The production of this fruit is gaining ground in Italy, with high-density cultivation and the technology used.
«As for technology, its use is strategic because cherries, often in flatter areas, suffer from late rains, so covers, such as anti-hail nets, are essential, as are insect protections. There is a second part of the innovation technology, which is the processing and preservation of the product.", said Stefano Francia.
In Italy, the cherry harvest is currently beginning, which, depending on the area, extends until August, in later sectors. With 104 thousand tons produced, of which about 10 thousand were exported in the last season, well below the nearly 360 thousand in Chile (2021-22 campaign), Italy is expanding its cherry plantations.
«Italy is a country that is practically specialized in cherries, especially in Puglia, in the south of Italy, where there is probably the largest production; the most special variety in terms of taste, shelf life, is the Ferruvia variety, which is very crunchy, heart-shaped, not too dark red, the flavor is sweet, but has a slightly acidic aftertaste, it is not just any cherry. It is the most important variety that we market, we have a lot of sales in Italy, but we deliver cherries practically all over Europe.»", commented Luisa Lamparelli, Commercial Manager of Op Giuliano Puglia Fruit.
The Chilean cherry industry, the world's leading exporter of cherries, is undoubtedly a benchmark for Italian producers.
"We have a lot of admiration for the production done in Chile, the type of work, the technology because they have made a lot of progress in that area; we also have a lot of admiration for the courage of the producers and exporters, because the fruit really has a lot of quality, there has been an evolution that has practically changed the market," added Luisa Lamparelli.
The Association of Agriculture and Life of Italy also recognized the Chilean cherry: "It is a great product, it has been improved in terms of conservation and a very good logistics policy has been implemented, the product arrives in China with excellent qualities, we have to learn from Chile," concluded Stefano Francia, President of the Association.
