Gerardo Cerasuoli (in the photo) and Osvaldo Marocco, who have their own Ortofrutta '87 stand at the Fondi produce market, discuss the cherry season.
"Unfortunately, there were some weather problems in May as heavy rain and hailstorms damaged part of the orchards, but we hope things can get back to normal in the next few weeks. As a matter of fact, they are already improving now."
"As regards cherry prices, prices did drop in May as we went from an average of €4.30/kg in 2013 to €3.70 this year."
"Of course we are only talking about a single month, there still could be a change before the end of the campaign."
"Only then will it be possible to have a clearer picture of the trend and understand whether we managed to reach the 1,000 tons we sold last year."
Ortofrutta '87 sells cherries between May and August. It collects them from 50 producers and also has two warehouses, one in Campania and the other in Apulia. .
80% of the produce is sold to wholesalers and stores, the rest goes to retailers. The majority is destined to the domestic market, although some of it goes to Germany, France and Eastern Countries.
Ortofrutta '87 also sells peaches and apricots as well as vegetables in winter.
"In order to tackle competition, we have been working with producers in the past 3 years to introduce Kordia cherries, a new late variety which is very resistant. We hope we can start selling it next year."
For further info:
Ortofrutta '87 snc
Di Cerasuoli Gerardo e Marocco Osvaldo
MOF - Stand C19
Viale Piemonte
04022 Fondi (Latina) – Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0771 513005
Email: ortofrutta87snc@hotmail.com