"We started harvesting and selling new potatoes from Syracuse on 26th March 2014. Consumption and prices are lower than last year because there are still stocks of French potatoes and the prices of produce from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel and Greece are lower," explained Tonino Zito, sales manager for Soc. Agr. Zito & Co. s.r.l., founded in 2007 by sons Francesco and Simone with the aim of continuing the work of their father and grandfather.
The company has 50 hectares of new potatoes, lettuce (Roman and Iceberg), fennel and celery.
"In addition, there are another 100 ha managed by producers who work with us. Our productions start in October with vegetables and end in June with new potatoes. Despite the crisis, this year we are looking to sell 3,600 tons of new potatoes, 25% more than last year. Prices though have decreased from €0.80/kg to €0.60/kg."
New potato field.
Mild temperatures this winter contributed to growing high-quality produce, which is harvested, packed and sent to markets in Northern Italy and abroad.
"We have focused on potatoes a lot in the past few years. We send them to North Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. We do not work as much with lemons any more though, as wholesalers in Northern Italy tend to prefer the Spanish product as it costs less. We have also just managed to start working with Sicilian retailers."
"Our objective is to improve our work and expand our business. We know it will be very difficult, but we are very determined and we also want to widen the range of our products."
Zito & Co. holds the HACCP certification.
Contacts:
Francesco Zito - Production manager
Cell.: +39 331 4001978
Simone Zito - Logistics and Processing manager
Cell.: +39 338 6813107
Tonino Zito - Sales manager
Cell.: +39 348 4059221
ZITO & CO. s.r.l. soc.agr.
Sede legale
viale Epipoli 200, 96100 Siracusa (SR)
Offices and Warehouse
via Teti 10, 96010 Cassibile di Siracusa (SR)
Tel.: +39 (0)931 791600
Fax: +39 (0)931 791750
Email: info@agrizito.it
Web: www.agrizito.it