A good start to the clementine campaign at AOP Armonia, is expected, even though high temperatures in October affected colour and consumption. "We ended last month with 500 tons - a significant increase both in terms of quantities and turnover with respect to the previous year," explains sales manager, Marco Eleuteri.
Caffin variety. Photo taken on 11th October in Corigliano Calabro.
The season started on 10th October with the harvesting of the Caffin variety, then continued with Spinoso and Comune in the earliest areas on the Sibari plain.
"Our performance is essentially structural, especially considering the increasing popularity of early cultivars such as Caffin and Spinoso. Various super-early mutations of the Oronules variety are also increasingly popular."
In addition, according to the sales manager, research is being conducted at an increasingly quicker pace, so probably varietal innovation times will be shorter from now on. Of course this requires considerable investments and effort.
Caffin variety. Photo taken on 11th October in Corigliano Calabro.
"Those who do not manage it will find it increasingly difficult to remain on the market. All operators need to understand that the production sector is too fragmented and cannot compete on the international market. Either we overcome this situation, or our Spanish competitors will start to consider us as interesting clients rather than competitors."
In addition, according to the sales manager, research is being conducted at an increasingly quicker pace, so probably varietal innovation times will be shorter from now on. Of course this requires considerable investments and effort.
Caffin variety. Photo taken on 11th October in Corigliano Calabro.
"Those who do not manage it will find it increasingly difficult to remain on the market. All operators need to understand that the production sector is too fragmented and cannot compete on the international market. Either we overcome this situation, or our Spanish competitors will start to consider us as interesting clients rather than competitors."
"Our 1.5 kg Traditional Fruit Basket (available both in the classic DolceClementina version as well as in other versions) contributed to the good results achieved in October, as it is very popular with consumers."
1.5 kg Traditional Fruit basket in the classic version DolceClementina (above) and in anoher version (below).
Among the leading innovations this year, there is the fact that produce is now harvested by Cooperativa Natura Più in Cassano Jonico. "Until last year, harvesting was carried out by the producers themselves. Controlling this phase directly is essential to guarantee high quality standards, especially since it will be supervised by skilled agronomists."
A 10-20% drop in production is expected with respect to the previous year. "We hope higher quotations will compensate for it, even though we are fully aware that quotations on the international markets are dictated by the Spanish. Our objective for the 2016/17 campaign is to reach 10,000 tons - 85% clementines and 15% oranges."