10% of Italian kiwi orchards are located in Calabria. As can be seen from CSO-Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli estimates for 2016, a 30% drop in production is expected against a 15% increase in crops.
Opera Terrae is a company that converted its entire kiwi production to the organic cultivation method.
Pasquale Varrà: "We do not use synthetic products on our soil or plants, so we can favour the natural fertility of the soil and promote biodiversity. In addition to using organic products, we also use pulse green manure, as we feel it is a multipurpose and strategic technique. In fact, it protects the soil from excessive rain, the roots of pulses help stabilise the soil and it has a repellent effect on weeds."
Depending on the weather, harvesting starts as soon as kiwis reach 6° Brix, which usually occurs in early November.
Most of the production is collected by Cooperativa Biologica Frutti del Sole, which sells fresh organic fruit, both in Italy and abroad.
As regards product processing, Opera Terrae developed a range of organic preserves with no added sugars, among which there is a kiwi preserve. "Kiwis destined for processing are left to ripen on the trees until they reach a Brix level of 9-10 degrees, so we can avoid adding sugar. Processing occurs within 48 hours from harvesting. Opera Terrae's kiwi preserve contains 130 grams of fruit per 100 grams of product and only organic apple juice is used for thickening."
The preserve is available in the 375 and 130 gram format. Selection boxes include kiwi, orange and clementine preserves. All of them are made with organic fruit from Opera Terrae and have no added sugar.
Contacts:
Azienda Agricola Laganà M. Rosaria
Via Elvethia, 5
89025 Rosarno (RC)
Agnese Varrà - cell. (+39) 320 8669299
Pasquale Varrà - cell. (+39) 388 7517736
Email: info@operaterrae.com
Web: www.operaterrae.com