Trentino apples, harvest begins: production up 5% and 15,000 seasonal workers wanted

While checks are nearing completion on the apple cableway that will connect the processing centre in Predaia and the underground cells in the heart of the mountains, producers are looking for 15,000 seasonal workers for the apple harvest in Trentino. Last year, according to data from the Employment Agency of the Autonomous Province of Trento, there were 14,600 new jobs in agriculture, of which 13,681 in Valle di Non and 893 in Valle di Sole . A figure that represents about half of all hirings in the sector in the Province of Trento (29,494) and where women account for a quarter of the total (26%) while foreigners account for eight out of 10 (81%). This year, according to Prognosfruit data, production in Trentino will be up by 5%, while that in Alto Adige will be down by 3%. On a national level, on the other hand, there will be a total production of almost 2.25 million tonnes with a drop of 3% compared to 2024. Considering that continental volumes are just under 10.5 million tonnes, Italy is confirmed as one of the most important producers.

According to forecasts and initial evidence, it will be a year with apples with good organoleptic characteristics. Simone Dalpiaz, Quality Manager of the Melinda Consortium, explains that "the first results of the 2025 harvest authorise cautious optimism, despite the fact that some production areas were hit by hailstorms in late spring and early summer. We started the harvest with the Gala and Sweetango varieties: the latter, in particular, is in excellent shape, with crunchy, juicy fruit and a well-balanced taste, much appreciated especially by younger consumers".

After the very worrying data on irregularities in agricultural work emerged in recent days, following the checks carried out by the Carabinieri on 888 farms throughout Italy, this year too there will be a strong focus on safety, to which the Employment Service of the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Prevention and Safety Operations Unit of the APSS (Provincial Health Services Agency) and the Carabinieri are committed, also through training. "The employment data show how important the activities of the apple-growing sector are, not only for Val di Non and Val di Sole, but also for the entire Trentino production ecosystem,' emphasises Mario Cescolini, board member of the Melinda Consortium. Behind these activities lies an enormous organisational effort, and in this the value of cooperation greatly helps individual companies, also in finding the necessary workforce. This is essential, especially when climate change makes production and margins for farmers increasingly uncertain'. This year, among other things, there is great expectation for the official start of the Funivia delle Mele (Apple Cableway): the cableway, born from a Melinda project, that connects the processing hall in Predaia and the underground cells in the heart of the mountain.