In the North, the last official figures show that as of 21 September, 2.85 million tonnes had been processed of which 350,000 tonnes in the last week (week 38), with an average brix of 5.05, 4.9% penalties and a payment index of 101%.
In the last week (week 39) very small volumes were processed due to widespread rains, especially in the West, with around 80 mm in some areas. The weather is better this week and harvesting has fully resumed. The season is however nearing the end with many factories already closed and the others closing at the end of the week. Only one factory is expected to operate next week. The total forecast remains 3 million tonnes.

In the Centre and South, the weather in September has been very good, better than average, and the volume processed is higher than expected, notably for the long varieties. Quality remains good, with good colour although brix levels have decreased as is normal for the season. Many factories closed at the end of September although some are still running. The expectation is now 2.6 million tonnes, bringing the total for Italy back to 5.6 million tonnes.

In the North, the last report available from OI Pomodoro North is updated to 07/09 with 2.18 million tonnes processed brix average of 5.15 and penalties of 4,18%. The week from 1st to 7 September shows a volume of 263,000 tonnes delivered with a weekly average brix of 4.87 that is lower compared to the previous weeks and quite normal for late crop tomatoes. Quality remains good.
For last week that ended 14 September official figures are not available yet, but we expect to have processed more than 300,000 tonnes since the rain we had was very limited and did not interrupt the harvest.
From now on, there are almost two weeks left of harvesting for late tomatoes and at the end of September many processors will finish. In October will remain a very little quantity.
We keep the forecast at 3 million tonnes which is an ambitious goal at the moment given the delivery situation, but we’ll see how the harvest evolves this week and if the weather conditions (a low pressure system is expected to pass at the beginning of next week) will allow us to reach this target or not.

In the Centre and South, 2.05 million tonnes had been processed as of 8 September with data from last week still being collected. Heavy rain of up to 140 mm last Wednesday on the Tyrrhenian side stopped the harvest until Monday but it did not affect Puglia. The harvest is now progressing well with full volumes since yesterday. Quality is good with less green than earlier on. Yields are very poor in areas irrigated with the Occhito dam, sometimes as low as 25 tonnes per hectare and the average yields are expected to be around 75 t/ha, against a normal 80 t/ha.

The total expectation for Italy remains 5.5 million tonnes.

In the North, the last figures released by OI Pomodoro Northern Italy reports as for 24 August a total volume processed of 1.62 million tonnes with an average brix of 5,21 and penalties 4,62. Quality remained good but there are some excess of green tomatoes due to staggered fruiting on the plant. Last week and at the start of this one we had rain in all northern regions from Alessandria to Ferrara (with some heavy rain in Mantova and Verona with more than 100 mm) with several days in which it was not possible to harvest tomatoes and the factories remained closed
The yield in the fields remain lower than average and despite the highest surface ever planted (around 45,000 hectares) it will be difficult to get the target of 3.2 million tonnes and we revise the number to 3 million tonnes considering the situation and the % of hectares already collected. The weather forecast for the next two weeks is good. Let’s see how it goes and if late crops can recover something on the average yields.

In the Centre-South the situation is not good with most factories now at less than 50% capacity as tomatoes are not ripening. There is a split maturation with some ripe tomatoes while the third crown still green so many green tomatoes are left in the fields. Many greens are also delivered to the factories, so the processing yields now are the worst recorded in the last ten years, after a good start. Processors are paying higher prices than initially expected especially for long tomato varieties. It will be a long crop from 15 July to an expected end in early October.

The forecast for Italy is reduced from 5.8 to 5.5 million tonnes for now but the final level will depend on a good September.

In the North, the last OI data showed that one million tonnes had been processed as of 10 August. Last week the rate of supply was good but factories are not yet at the maximum capacity and it is estimated that 1.3 million tonnes had been processed as of17 August. Fruit quality is very good with an average brix of 5.25 but farm yields are lower than usual for the middle crop at under 70 t/ha. The total size of the crop will depend on the middle and late crop but it is foreseen that it may be lower than the 3.2 million tonnes announced. The OPs are meeting on 20 August and more information will be available then. Some rain is expected tomorrow and may stop the factories for a day or two.
In the Centre-South, the harvest is progressing very slowly with delays in ripening especially for the long tomatoes. There are losses in the fields due to split ripening and lots of green tomatoes are arriving in the factories. Processing yields are low and factories, opened early but never reached full capacity. This is leading to increases the contract price and a lower industrial yield to maintain the high quality standards typical of Italian products. For now, the forecast remains 2.6 million tonnes but reaching it will depend on a very good September.

In the North, about 700,000 tonnes had been harvested as of 3 August with a good colour and an average brix of 5.2. The early crop is nearly finished and the middle crop is starting. The peak is scheduled next week for two weeks. Weather conditions are good with day temperatures of 32-33°C and nights at 20-22°C. Some rain last week in the eastern part of Emilia Romagna led to a 24h interruption of the harvest. There are no big issues in the fields, some mites. The late crop looks much better than was feared so the forecast is raised from 3 million tonnes to 3.2 million tonnes, depending on a good weather until completion of the harvest.

In the Centre-South, the satellite survey showed that surfaces planted are close to last year (-600 hectares). The main issue is the water availability in Puglia which will affect the size of the crop for the long tomatoes. The crop outlook in the other regions of Caserta, Lazio, Toscana is normal. Fresh tomatoes quality is good, the forecast remains 2.6 million tonnes.
The forecast for Italy is increased from 5.6 million tonnes to 5.8 million tonnes.