"Orchard protection brings a more optimistic look to the future"

"We have received positive signals, albeit in an environment that is far from normal. If I had to be optimistic about the future, I would certainly be of the opinion that the protection of orchards can be a new lease of life for the fruit sector. However, there is a need for economic support from the government, because safeguarding production also guarantees jobs throughout the supply chain," says Davide Vernocchi, president of Apo Conerpo at the press conference held on 4 July 2024, during the presentation of the 2023 budget of the group, which has 50 cooperatives and 6,000 members.

The panel of speakers at the July 4, 2024 conference at the Apo Conerpo headquarters in Castenaso, Bologna.

"The 2023 budget," said Vernocchi, "looks solid, with revenues from 2023 sales up 1.8 percent despite a shortfall of more than 27 percent of volumes, and member refunds up 50 percent. 2023 was a particularly challenging year for our industry. From the spring frost, to the May floods, to the summer drought and hailstorms, to the resurgence of serious climate-related phytopathologies, such as spot and bacterial blight, no crop was spared, with a particularly significant impact on some of Emilia-Romagna's main productions, such as, to name a few, pears, peaches and nectarines, cherries, processing tomatoes and onions."

Davide Vernocchi

In addition, there is a complex international scenario with its effects on the markets and the prices of energy and raw materials, the explosion of inflation and the emergence of new forms of poverty, the now critical difficulty in finding workers for the fruit and vegetable sector, and the often-questionable decisions of Europe that have an impact like a boulder on our farms. A complex picture that has generated an inevitable contraction in supply, which stopped in 2023 at 732,000 tons, 27 percent less than the average of the last ten years and the lowest record in the history of Apo Conerpo."

The value of sales exceeded 434 million euros (+1.8 percent) and turnover reached 787 million euros, a drop of only 2.7 points compared to that of 2022, which had marked the best result of the group in the last decade.

Vice President Alberto Guerra.

"I see three key factors behind this. The gradual expansion of the membership base to other regions, which has ensured the constant availability of crops even during the most critical periods; the excellent economic performance of industrial tomatoes, despite the flood damage; and the admirable work of our business units - Alegra, Brio, Naturitalia, Opera and Valfrutta Fresco - in maximizing the value of the available product, both in domestic supermarkets, where we even recorded a 13.86% increase in value, and abroad."

Vice President Alberto Guerra said that "we are concerned about kiwifruit, because among our members there will probably be a 50% shortage of Hayward due to the weather, but there will also be a shortage of Williams pears. For peaches and nectarines, there are a lot of small calibers that are hard to place."

Vice President Aldo Rizzoglio.

"Potato digging has already started in the Ferrara area and the prospects are good. In the Bologna area, on the other hand, it will start around 10 July. Patfrut is making new investments and has recently inaugurated a department in the fresh-cut segment," says Aldo Rizzoglio, another vice president.