Anyone looking to add radicchio to their shelves can expect a more than good domestic supply. Marchini Farms, a grower-packer-shipper has been supplying domestic and export markets with the vegetable since 1989. With scalability, they can ship a customer 10 boxes or 1,000. “Our supply is good. We’ve had good fall weather and good quality,” said Marc Marchini. Joe's Premium brand produce is grown in Central Valley California’s Le Grand area. “Radicchio likes to grow in cool nights and warm days. The Central Valley is a good climate for it,” he said.
Radicchio competes out of Florida, Georgia and Mexico and also has Italian radicchio, which he says starts coming in about now. “All of ours are proprietary varieties that we have the rights to. Our varieties are different but they all look very similar.” Prices are stable to somewhat soft because of the abundance of supply. “Because there’s a lot of supply prices are a little soft. But a good thing is, this time of year, demand increases,” said Marchini. “We should see a bigger demand come the first of the New Year with everyone wanting to eat healthier.”
Weather permitting they’ll continue to harvest, though it’s been a little cold in the Le Grand area. With California’s previous water shortages and the future wage increases come challenges to all commodities. “It’s a difficult thing when you’re trying to provide something at low cost that’s beneficial (there have to be price increases) in order to stay in the black,” said Marchini. “You find ways to become more efficient where we can. Those are challenges but they’re also opportunities to stay competitive in the industry where your hands are tied a lot of the time.”
For more information:
Marc Marchini
Marchini Farms
Ph: 559-665-2944