Italy: Start of the table grape campaign

"We mainly produce table grapes, which we cultivate on 45 hectares. This year, the fruit ripened 10-15 days late and the yields of red grapes were 15-20% lower. We have just started harvesting the Cardinal variety, which is mainly destined to the Adriatic area. As regards the Victoria variety, quantities should be in line with 2013. Sugar levels are still low so we will have to consider that when scheduling the harvesting date," explains Piero Losito from Azienda Agricola Losito.

The productive calendar will go on until December also with the Italia and Palieri varieties. "60% of the produce is destined to the Czech Republic, followed by Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine and Russia. There should be no problems on the latter markets despite the current political situation."

Table grapes are packaged directly on fields in 30x40 or 30x50 5/7 kg wooden crates.

As regards possible investments on seedless grapes, Piero says that "there's no demand from our clients yet. 8-10 years ago we had destined a small area to the cultivation of such varieties but we uprooted them. This though does not mean we won't try again if demand changes."

Pietro stresses that in September- December there aren't many competitors for their varieties, but there is plenty of competition from Greece, Spain and Tunisia as regards seedless grapes.

"The entire production is sold under the Frutt@pulia and Losito brands on both the domestic and foreign markets."

In 2007, Losito associated with APOC Salerno, implementing a traceability and quality management system. "It's an excellent group which invests a lot on innovation. What is more, the participation to international fairs such as Fruit Logistica in Berlin is the perfect chance to strengthen our business relationships."

Asparagus
The company also produces green asparagus. The cool temperatures during the season meant that production could be extended to June 28th.

"We also buy produce from third parties between March and June. We cultivate the UC 157 F1 and Grance F1 varieties and sell them mainly in Northern Italy, Germany and England."

The produce arrives in our warehouse and is selected, graded, cut, labelled, placed in 500g bags and packaged in cold storage units.

"There is 5% less produce than last year but the campaign was quite calm. Spain was our main competitor but we managed anyway thanks to the great quality of our produce."

News
"We have already planted 4 hectares of the Italia grape variety, which we will graft next year. We usually don't invest on new varieties, we rather recycle our plots. Four years ago we also stated producing Boreale and Ninfa apricots."

Contacts:
Piero Losito
Cell.: +39 335 8332555
Azienda Agricola Losito
Via Montegrappa 141, 71121 Foggia (administration)
San Giovanni Rotondo S.S. 89 (sales offices and warehouse)
Tel./Fax: +39 (0)881 700559
Email: aziendalosito@tiscali.it
Web: www.fruttapulia.it

Rosario Ferrara - Director Coordinator
APOC SALERNO
Via R. Wagner K1 (P.co Arbostella)
84131 - Salerno
Tel.: +39 (0)89 331758
Cell.: +39 331 2663528
Email: ferrara@apocsalerno.it
Web: www.apocsalerno.it