The Pizzutella grape sales season hasn't started off with its typical euphoria. The harvest began early for the white-seeded variety, characterized by elongated, cone-shaped berries and by its medium-sized to large clusters.
© Cantatore Antonio & Figlio Pizzutella grape
Antonio Cantatore (pictured), an Apulian wine-grower with about 40 hectares of table grapes, explains: "A week ago we started the Pizzutella harvest, after finishing earlier than expected with the Victoria variety due to limited supply. It was an underwhelming beginning. We did not expect it. Pizzutella is one of our flagship products, but yields are down by up to 40%. Prices remain similar to the beginning of the 2022 season, with low demand. Flowering was affected by bad weather, which resulted in more smaller grapes. We are making daily deliveries to wholesale markets. However, the lack of product on the plants allows us to approach the campaign with more commercial peace of mind. In fact, even though the market is flat for now, we are not in a hurry to harvest, nor are we in a hurry to accept bargains. This means that we will wait for better times".
Italia grapes
If orders for Pizzutella, a typical variety found in the province of Bari, are not increasing, the trend is different for other traditional grapes like Italia and Palieri. "Unlike last year, they are being loaded more and more regularly. The demand for these grapes comes mainly from abroad: France, Holland and Germany. Selling prices are also buoyant, up 15 percent compared to 2022."
For more information:
Cantatore Antonio & Figlio Srl
(+39) 340 9369214 - 368 648323
[email protected]
