The campaign started somewhat ahead of schedule in most countries. Hence the first volumes were sold in May in Italy, with a considerable surge from mid-July. The campaign picked up in August, with the high temperatures and Italy’s early start. As the flowering had been exceptional, a very large harvest was to be expected. While this is still true for Sicily, great uncertainty remains over the final production potential in view of the drought and intense heat, especially in Apulia, with the possibility of seeing the campaign finish once more in December in this country. However, last year’s production was 1.05 million tonnes, in spite of the lack of rain (+ 2 % on 2015 and 1 % below the 3-year average). This year’s Spanish production level should be good, thanks to the winter rains, though without being exceptional due to the current drought. Already undermined last year by high temperatures, it did reach a good level (271 600 t, i.e. - 3 % on 2015 and 7 % below the three-year average). A less marked shortfall is expected this year in Valencia, with a nearer-normal potential for the late varieties, especially Aledo. In France, the late varieties were affected by the April frosts, which hit high-altitude zones hard, with losses in certain sectors of the South-East of as much as 50 %. Conversely, the South-West production zone was not affected, and a still significant proportion of French production has been placed in long-term storage again this year. The harvest will overall be well below last year’s 49 000 t.
Note that the 8th International Table Grape Symposium will be held in Italy, namely in Foggia (Apulia), and then in Palermo (Sicily), between 1 and 7 October 2017.
Source: Infofruit
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