"Employees are in the fields already two hours before dawn so that courgettes arrive in the markets in excellent condition, with flowers that are still fresh."
The 46 businesses that are part of the PO, grow the produce on 68 hectares. Milena Semenzato, Quality manager, adds that "the core business of the PO are table tomatoes (over 50%) and courgettes (33%), followed by aubergines (8%), cucumbers (1.4%), green beans (1.6%) and radishes (1.8%). As regards fruit, they specialise in strawberries, of which they produce 23 tons per year.
The objective of 2014 is to increase lettuce production by 2-3% to tackle the stalling periods when the main crops are over.
"I feel that our local produce is not promoted enough, although taste and freshness are unique," continues Milena Semenzato.
"The turnover decreased slightly in 2013 to €3.5 million mainly because of lower prices, as the volume we sold was the same as 2012. Unfortunately, demand is not influenced by a single factor."
In 2013, most of the produce was sold on the domestic markets, except for 5-10%, which was destined to retailers.
Currently the PO has a warehouse covering one hectare and around 600 sq m of offices. The centre is equipped with cold storage units and processing machinery and new investments are to be expected in the future.
Contacts:
OP Salto di Fondi
Sede sociale e operativa:
Via Covino 1/bis
04020 Fondi (Latina)
Altra sede operativa:
Viale Piemonte
Stand G 9 Mof di Fondi (LT)
Tel. e fax: (+39) 0771 57038 / (+39) 0771 500234
Email: info@coopsdf.com
Web: www.coopsdf.com