Despite the rebound at the start of 2020, consumption in Italy has remained stable

The year 2020 was marked by the pandemic which had caused a significant increase in the consumption of Fruits & Vegetables in Italy. But this rebound was only observed for the 1st and 2nd quarter.

 

 

 

According to data published by CSO Italy's Market Observatory, based on GFK surveys, for the year 2020, the total of Fruits & Vegetables purchased by Italians has slightly exceeded 6 million tonnes, or 233 kg per family. This volume corresponds roughly (-1%) to that recorded for 2019.

 

 

 

This result for the year 2020 demonstrates the irregularity of demand from Italian consumers. After an upward trend observed in the 1st and 2nd quarters, with + 2% in January-March and + 3% from April to June, there was a decline in the following quarters, with -6% and - 2%.

 

 

 

Regarding fruits, the contraction reached -3.5% compared to volumes in 2019. Stone fruits, whose sales results were influenced by severe frosts in spring which compromised product availability, show -20% for peaches, -23% for nectarines, -29% for apricots, -21% for plums and -20% for cherries. Other decreases recorded for watermelons (-8%), clementines (-7%) and melons (-5%). On the contrary, other products show positive results such as apples (+ 4%), oranges (+ 3%), table grapes (+ 14%) and berries (+ 1%).

 

 

 

With regard to vegetables, the results are better with + 2% for purchases during 2020. The volumes sold have increased for potatoes (+ 11%), carrots (+ 8%), courgettes (+ 1%), onions (+ 8%), fennel (+ 9%), eggplants (+ 2%), peppers (+ 6%). But some products show negative results such as tomatoes (-2%), salads (-5%) and cauliflower (-3%).