Italian fruit exporters spying new Asian markets 

Italy’s fruit exporters are increasingly looking towards Asian markets, particularly for pears, apples and kiwifruit, according to CSO Italy. The organisation recently organised four inspection visits in the region to facilitate the export of certain Italian fruits. Those inspections took place in China for pears, South Korea for kiwifruit, Taiwan for apples, and Thailand for pears.

After a six-year wait and a concerted effort on the part of the Region of Emilia-Romagna, CSO Italy and several Italian exporters, a protocol that authorises the country to export pears to China was signed on 26 June. The agreement represents a major breakthrough for the Italian pear sector, which has been drastically reduced in size over the past few years as a result of disease outbreaks, droughts, and, more recently, floods.

Following a second hybrid inspection by Chinese officials in September to check that certain conditions have been correctly implemented, it is expected that Italian exporters will be given the green light to send their pears to China in time for the start of the 2024/25 season.