"Despite the few initial problems due to bad weather in spring, the melon season is going well and the fruit has a high quality," explains Ettore Cagna, President of Agricola Don Camillo. "Producers obtained interesting margins, especially those who chose to trust our Don Camillo Più range."
The premium range was launched this year and it includes Chanterais melons, mini watermelons and midi seedless watermelons. The special packaging can contain single fruits or 2-4-5-6 fruits.
Crate with 5 Charentais melons. These fruits usually weigh between 950 grams and 1.4 kg.
"We decided to focus on Charentais because we have acquired extensive experience thanks to the cooperation with the French Soldive, who helped us by giving us advice on the special needs these fruits have. For example, they must be 'kept dry' for the last 20 days to develop better organoleptic qualities."
The difference between netted and Charentais melons can be seen in prices too - the latter can cost up to 60 cents more per kg, but there is more edible flesh and quality is better.
As regards netted melons, though, PGI Mantovano melons also performed well.
Agricola Don Camillo has also become a member of the Consorzio di Tutela del melone IGP, which also includes OP Francescon, Az. Ortofrutticola Nadalini, Mauro Aguzzi, Merighi, Ca' De Preti and Perini.
The company chose mini and midi seedless watermelons. "You must have experience to cultivate these kinds of watermelons, as they are only profitable if presented well, covering all distribution channels. Doing so requires expensive packaging as well as operations such as washing, shining and labelling."
As regards netted melons, though, PGI Mantovano melons also performed well.
Agricola Don Camillo has also become a member of the Consorzio di Tutela del melone IGP, which also includes OP Francescon, Az. Ortofrutticola Nadalini, Mauro Aguzzi, Merighi, Ca' De Preti and Perini.
The company chose mini and midi seedless watermelons. "You must have experience to cultivate these kinds of watermelons, as they are only profitable if presented well, covering all distribution channels. Doing so requires expensive packaging as well as operations such as washing, shining and labelling."
According to the President, the difficulties in this segment are due to the fact that cultivated areas are not planned, with many people following seasonal price trends when deciding whether to cultivate small watermelons or not. "The fact is that often they are not seedless, so consumers are discouraged from buying them."
Impossible to coordinate at a domestic level
"Despite all my efforts to create more aggregation, I have to say nothing has been achieved. It may work where production is carried out in a limited area, but melons and watermelons are cultivated all over Italy and a single coordination would not work."
In May, Don Camillo introduced a new melon processing plant, which includes a new grader with an output of 50 tons/hour.
Contacts:
Agricola Don Camillo srl
Via Cisa 31/A
42041 Brescello (Re)
Tel.: (+39) 0522 962202
Fax: (+39) 0522 962161
Email: info@melonedoncamillo.it
Web: www.melonedoncamillo.it
Author: Rossella Gigli
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it
Contacts:
Agricola Don Camillo srl
Via Cisa 31/A
42041 Brescello (Re)
Tel.: (+39) 0522 962202
Fax: (+39) 0522 962161
Email: info@melonedoncamillo.it
Web: www.melonedoncamillo.it
Author: Rossella Gigli
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it