The company does not grow chestnuts but it processes and trades them as fresh or processed food (flour, dried, in syrup, and frozen peeled from next year) as it can count on a network of about 100 producers and suppliers.
From left to right Giuliana and Aroldo Mastrogregori and Sabrina Ferrami, of Mastrogregori at Macfrut 2016.
Chestnut production has been affected for a while now. (see FreshPlaza 23rd October 2014): "In recent years, he continues, Asian chestnut gall wasps attacked chestnuts, causing plant death and a fall in production and climate change also had a negative effect. This year, it was really cold and rainy during blooming and pollination. In these weeks, dry weather made us think production and quality were going to be damaged, but, eventually, it rained. A fall of 60% is estimated in Italy: this will oblige us to move to foreign productions such as Spain, Portugal and Turkey, where we'll look for varieties which are similar to Italian products".
From left to right Giuliana and Aroldo Mastrogregori and Sabrina Ferrami, of Mastrogregori at Macfrut 2016.
Chestnut production has been affected for a while now. (see FreshPlaza 23rd October 2014): "In recent years, he continues, Asian chestnut gall wasps attacked chestnuts, causing plant death and a fall in production and climate change also had a negative effect. This year, it was really cold and rainy during blooming and pollination. In these weeks, dry weather made us think production and quality were going to be damaged, but, eventually, it rained. A fall of 60% is estimated in Italy: this will oblige us to move to foreign productions such as Spain, Portugal and Turkey, where we'll look for varieties which are similar to Italian products".
Fresh chestnuts packaged by Mastrogregori.
Besides the fall in production, the sector is in danger because young people have stopped growing chestnuts, Mastrogregori adds, since they cannot earn enough. Diseases which have been defeated may spread again if the areas are not treated properly".
Mosciarelle (boiled chestnuts), dried or soft chestnut snacks.
In order to relaunch the sector "we need to be patient. This tree is a century-old, underwent several changes and is able to adapt itself but it mustn't be abandoned. At the moment we need trust".
"Golosoni", ready-to-eat snack made of peeled and steamed chestnuts.
Mastrogregori trades both fresh and processed chestnuts. It exports to Austria, Switzerland and Germany, the owner continues, "We have been exporting to Japan for a while since chestnuts are the ingredients of several products".
The company also trades snacks. It launched Le Mosciarelle: peeled dried or soft, ready-to-eat six years ago. Plus, it launched I Golosoni, a ready-to-eat snack made of peeled and steamed chestnuts in doypacks.
"We trade them - Aroldo Mastrogregori continues - in 100g packaging: it is an alternative snack in a single portion. It is a new way of eating a product that is usually consumed in winter, near the fireplace". I Golosoni actually can be considered off-peak chestnuts. The packaging can be preserved for 18 months if closed; it expires after 2/3 days if opened (kept in a fridge).
Contacts:
Mastrogregori Aldo & c. S.a.s.
Via del Ruscello, 16
01030 Vallerano (VT) - Italia
Tel.: (+39) 0761 752 325
Fax: (+39) 0761 019 945
Email: info@mastrogregori.it
Website: www.mastrogregori.it