Now, at the OP Società agricola cooperativa agricoltori jonici C. A. I., it is a machine that does this job.
"It is the latest innovation we invested in to optimise our work load and therefore utilising our workers in better ways," explains Slavatore Scarcella.
The cooperative was founded in 1987 by operators who had been working in the sector since 1954. It was recognised as a PO in 2003.
Making an assessment as regards 2014, the chairman says that "the campaigns of Primofiore, Bianchetto and Verdello lemons went well. Verdello did particularly well during the summer, but we are talking about small volumes."
Some difficulties emerged only in the last three months of 2014 "because of the high temperatures and lack of rain. Harvesting is a month late and quantities are scarce. In general, the entire lemon production in Sicily is 5-10% lower than usual and, between October and December 2014, it went down by 30-35%."
On the other hand, lower volumes weren't totally disasterous, "if we had a full production, things would be worse because the demand is not there. Demand is more lively in the fruit juice and processing sectors, maybe because stocks are finishing." Processing lemons are in fact now sold at 10 cents more per kg with respect to 2013.
"We do fear a short-term drop in the price of produce destined to fresh consumption," concludes Salvatore Scarcella.
Contacts:
Società agricola cooperativa agricoltori jonici C.A.I.
Via Cesare Battisti, 315
98023 Furci Siculo (ME) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0942 791883
Fax: (+39) 0942 794018
Concita Lombardo
Email: concita@caiarl.com
Web: www.caiarl.com