Italy: The future is in the hands of those willing to change

Processing and product innovations in the table grape sector have made Frudis look at 2015 in an optimistic manner, as forecasts are more positive than in the past.

Sales manager Sabino Dipierro told FreshPlaza that "favourable weather conditions combined with the absence of problematic diseases led to full, tasty and perfect bunches."

Sabino Dipierro (right) together with his son Andrea.

Harvesting at Frudis started on June 15th (with a one week delay with respect to 2014) with grapes grown in greenhouses to meet client demand earlier.

The company grows many varieties - from the classic white (Vittoria, Italia, Pizzuttella), black (Black Magic, Palieri, Black Pearl) and red (Red Globe) grapes to seedless cultivars Millenium, Regal, Autumn Giant, Thompson (white), Summer Royal and Autumn Royal (black) and the red Ophelia, Flame e Crimson.

"Our investments focused mainly on the seedless varieties in order to keep our customers happy, as they are increasingly demanding these types of grapes."

"Volumes will be similar to last year, although plants will produce 15% less Italia grapes. The fruit will be available until late December."

Frudis sells its produce mainly to European markets (80%) and overseas (15%) - only 5% remains in Italy. "Our main competitors are Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Spain, Portugal and Greece."

The produce is sold in a variety of packagings such as cardboard and wooden crates and EPS, IFCO and STECO crates.

The future
Sabino Dipierro explains that the future is in the hands of those with a great past.

A successful past that enabled them to survive the crisis. Sabino is fully aware of what the younger generations can do for agriculture - it is an ancient science, but it is increasingly subjected to the changes dictated by the new technologies.

Frudis invested in the best technologies such as modern processing lines and electronically-controlled processing temperature.

"This way, we can guarantee high quality standards, so that the produce can reach our consumers with unaltered organoleptic qualities."

In addition, in 2015, new eco-friendly cooling plants were introduced. They work thanks to a state-of-the-art photovoltaic plant. New flexible production lines were also installed. All this was carried out with the objective of respecting the environment and satisfying the customers.

"The reputation of a company is one of the key elements in business. The future depends on what you do now. A difficult market must be seen as a challenge to become more competitive and improve your work, because you must be ready to change if you want to remain true to yourself."

Contacts:
Sabino Dipierro
Sales Manager
FRUDIS
S.P. 94 per Casamassima, km 3,800
70016 Noicattaro 8BA) - Italy
Ph.: +39 080 4796625
Fax: +39 080 4796627
Mob: +39 348 3862596 / +39 345 0533507
Email: sabino@frudis.it
Web: www.frudis.it