Production is Southern Italy was slow in 2014 due to the weather: "last winter, the weather was warm-humid, with temperatures 3 or 4 degrees above the seasonal average, so plants did not have enough cool hours. The rain then obstructed pollination. Less flowers and scarce settings led to a production of fruit that was 40% less than last year," explains Ciro Secondulfo, owner of a PO together with his brothers.
The PO operates through three different sites in Campania and Apulia on 400 hectares of kiwis, grapes, peaches, strawberries, apricots and nectarines. Kiwi trees cover 200 hectares, producing 3,800 tons per year on average.
"This year, quality is very good. The Sele Plain is particularly suitable for kiwi cultivation and, thanks to strict controls, we can guarantee sweetness and the best quality to buyers and consumers."
Crops are protected, safeguarded through integrated control and constantly monitored by expert technicians. Kiwis can be harvested only after their quality has been checked (firmness, colour, taste, sugar level and appearance).
"We also pay a lot of attention during the post-harvesting stage. Thanks to curing - a 72 hour stop at room-temperature in a covered, dry and ventilated place - we favour the healing of the wound left by the removal of the stalk, which is particularly sensitive to Botrytis during cold storage. The product is then graded, selected and stocked in cold storage units."
"Kiwipiù" is the brand that the PO dedicated to Hayward kiwis to guarantee their high quality. The packaging is captivating as well as practical and it is easily recognisable by final consumers.
20% of the production is shipped abroad to Germany, France, Austria and Europe in general. 60% goes to retailers and the remaining 20% to wholesale markets.
"Our main competitor is Greece, but this is only during the first part of the season, the situation should in fact stabilise in January. The Russian ban means there is more fruit on the European market. Prices are satisfactory, 10-15% more than last year, but unfortunately there is 40% less produce."
Contacts
OP Secondulfo
Via Antico Cilento
84091 Battipaglia (SA)
Tel.: (+39) 0828 547515
Fax: (+39) 0828 547519
Email: info@secondulfo.com
Web: www.secondulfo.com