There is a clear consensus on the fact that Interpoma is a medium-sized trade fair, but stands out for its high level of international participation. Thanks to Bolzano's strategic location as a gateway to northern Europe, the opening day saw a notable presence of foreign visitors. "I believe I received visits from 80 per cent foreign and 20 per cent Italian operators, and were all very interested," says Franco Annovi of the company of the same name, which specialises in organic fertilisation equipment. Gabriella Bolzoni of GNA (packaging technology) expressed a similar view: "This was our inaugural participation in this fair. We received a high volume of visitors in the morning, with a slight decrease in the afternoon. Overall, we are pleased with the turnout. We welcomed visitors from a number of countries, including those from Eastern Europe, North Africa and Ukraine."
Fot the Interpoma photo report, please click here.
The newest international apple production data was revealed at the inaugural event. Philippe Binard, Secretary General of WAPA (World Apple and Pear Association), confirmed that the current production season is unique in comparison to previous ones, due to the reduced availability of apples for the fresh and processed market within the EU. The overall decrease is driven by the two historical varieties, Golden Delicious and Gala, which have experienced a 10% and 11% reduction, respectively, compared to 2023. Conversely, the harvest for Red Delicious has increased by 20%, while new varieties have also seen an uptick in production, aligning with last year's record output. All parties concurred that the precipitous decline in production was attributable to the adverse weather events that characterised the year, in particular the spring frost, which affected the majority of European countries.
The stock of product in November 2024 is lower than in the same period in 2023 in many countries, indicating a decline in production. However, this trend is not seen in all countries. Italy, Spain and Switzerland, for instance, have higher stocks than the previous year.
Giovanni Missanelli of Assomela presented an overview of the Italian production data, noting a slight increase compared to August. The total production volume reached 2,248,000 tonnes, comprising a significant portion of high-quality produce. The quantities in Alto Adige are in line with those of last year, while Trentino has seen a slight decrease. There has been an increase in production in Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. In terms of organic products, the quantities are in line with last year's harvest, representing 7% of the total. In terms of exports, European producer countries are performing well, with South America (including Brazil) leading the way. However, there are still some logistical challenges in certain countries, largely due to the complex geopolitical situation.
Daniel Sauvaitre, Director of the ANPP Association Nationale de la Pêches et du Commerce des Poissons, presented the latest production data for France. The data confirmed a total output of 1.426 million tonnes, a 3% decline compared to the previous year. While Sauvaitre mentions an increase in product prices, he points out that in many cases these are insufficient to cover production costs. This is why producers are seeking ways to enhance the value of their products, relying on certifications such as those related to sustainable production, which inevitably affect production costs.
Dominik Wozniak, former president of WAPA and representative of Polish apple growers, gave a presentation on Poland, the top apple-producing country in the EU. The challenges currently being faced by apple growers are comparable to those experienced by other European countries, particularly the impact of frost during the flowering period.
Wozniak has confirmed a decline in production and intense pressure on prices and consumption, despite a high level of product penetration. With regard to the markets, his advice is to adopt a diversified approach and implement promotional campaigns at the national level in order to stimulate consumption.
For the Interpoma photo report, please click here.
For more information:
Interpoma
www.fierabolzano.it/it/interpoma/home