With 550 registered buyers and 760 producers, Asta Frutta Alto Adige is one of the Italian region's historic apple traders, first established in 1960. The total area covered by the 760 producers exceeds 900 hectares and approximately 45,000 tons of apples are estimated to be produced.
"Auctions of the Royal Gala variety began on 16 August 2021 and the quality and the yield are excellent. Compared to a normal year, we have a delay of about 8 days, which is mainly due to the low temperatures in May, which also caused a slight decrease in the average size, explained the coordinator Markus Tscholl.
The first auctions recorded a slightly higher average price than in previous years, but an alignment is also expected due to an overall higher European production than in 2020. Asta Frutta Alto Adige is an organization that brings together three auctions: Vilpiano (the largest), Bassa Atesina and Firmiano.
Each individual producer commits to picking and selecting the apples according to variety and size and to delivering them in crates or bins to the auction centre. The auctioneers check that the goods correspond to the declared quality characteristics. The auctions deal only with freshly picked fruit and are held every day (except Sundays) for the entire time of harvest. The auction referee is electronically controlled.
"We are certified both GlobalGAP and Grasp so we can export worldwide, and we sell our entire production already during the harvest. On average, it takes no more than 24 hours from the producer's delivery to the auction until the sale. The auctions end with the last varieties around the end of October. The best lots are identified with the Select label, which guarantees ripening and coloring to the highest standards and maximum uniformity of the lot, with 75+ gauges for all varieties (70+ for Gala)," continued the coordinator.
Participating in an auction is an emotion, with the use of the Dutch method and the price clock ticking down. Our slogan is first-hand fine apples. A phrase that is reflected in reality," concluded Tscholl.
For more information: 
Asta Frutta Alto Adige
Vilpiano (BZ),
+39/0471 676511
[email protected]
www.astafrutta.it
