The manager also talks about the great results achieved with kiwis and apples. "The Chinese market had been open to Italian kiwis for a few years. Our main competitor is Zespri from New Zealand and our only chance is to supply produce of a superior quality which is easily identifiable."
RK Growers created two kiwi brands - Eva Green and Eva Gold (limited volumes). The company handles around 25 thousand tons of Italian traditional and organic kiwis every year.
"We also handle over 70 thousand tons of apples, both of the club (Ambrosia and Crimson Snow) and traditional varieties. Flows towards the Middle East and North Africa are good. The loss of the Egyptian market was compensated for by the Brazilian one. Demand was satisfactory, also because we are the suppliers of the Pão de Açúcar chain, subsidiary of the French Groupe Casino".
For what concerns the preferences of the various markets, China favours non-acidic apples (Ambrosia would be perfect but it cannot be exported yet). Brazil demands the Gala variety, while the Middle East prefers Red Delicious apples.
RK Growers also handles peaches, nectarines, plums, grapes, citrus fruit and melons and has partners all over the world.
"Our historic partners are Rivoira/Kiwi Uno for apples and kiwis, but lately we have also signed an agreement with Agricola Famosi in Brazil for melons. We also work with producers in France and Spain for citrus fruit, which we will export thanks to the recent protocol between Spain and China. Our main challenge is to select excellent products and exclusive varieties - origin is key to obtain a superior quality."
The European market
In addition to destinations overseas, RK Growers also operates on the domestic and European markets thanks to Iberiana Frucht, part of the Markant group (managed by RK Growers since 2010).
In addition to destinations overseas, RK Growers also operates on the domestic and European markets thanks to Iberiana Frucht, part of the Markant group (managed by RK Growers since 2010).
"We work with retailers and have recently opened an office in Moscow to distribute Moroccan produce such as tomatoes and peppers. We did this to maintain our contacts with the Russian market, hoping it will reopen soon."
The melon season is still underway and we have a significant supply programme for German retailers. Soon, RK Growers will establish an Italian office to distribute Brazilian melons (Piel de Sapo, Gialletto, Cantalupo, etc.). Paolo Carissimo explains: "we want to try and import only melons with a superior Brix level. The objective is to import ten containers a week. Of course, should a protocol between Brazil and China be established, we could work a lot through Panama. Our Shenzhen office would be essential for that. Agricola Famosa currently owns 22,000 hectares of melons and can develop product lines for specific needs."
Contacts:
RK GROWERS
Corso Italia, 56
12038 Saluzzo (CN)
Tel.: +39 0175 218635
Fax: +39 0175 280895
Email: info@rkg.it
Web: www.rkg.it