The season starts in late October with the first Navel oranges and traditional and organic lemons, then continues in December with the Moro blood orange campaign.
Moro, Tarocco and Sanguinello blood oranges are available until March, then Valencia oranges and lemons are available until June.
The company exports its entire production to the European markets, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland and England in particular. Over the past few years, it has also added destinations in Eastern Europe, such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria.
It commercialises 13,000 tons of traditional and organic produce, with the latter increasing year after year. Organic production now represents 60% of what is commercialised by G.Russo & C. with a turnover of around €7 million.
In addition, the company holds all the quality certifications, such as BRC and IFS, and works with a group of trusted producers holding the GlobalGap certification who are monitored and guided through all production stages.
It commercialises 13,000 tons of traditional and organic produce, with the latter increasing year after year. Organic production now represents 60% of what is commercialised by G.Russo & C. with a turnover of around €7 million.
In addition, the company holds all the quality certifications, such as BRC and IFS, and works with a group of trusted producers holding the GlobalGap certification who are monitored and guided through all production stages.
"The blood orange season is practically over. This year, production was 50% lower than usual and the situation was made worse by the rain that fell in Sicily over the past few weeks. The foreign market welcomed blood oranges - prices were 20% higher and demand was still lively," reports Pietro Russo.
"In general, we can say blood oranges deal well with competition from the orange varieties. We always need to provide fruit that is suitable for the foreign market, i.e. with a good resistance and well pigmented."
"Unfortunately, supply by small retailers is rather fragmented. They operate mainly on the domestic market but insist on selling abroad what they cannot sell in Italy, and do so at unsuitable prices. This hurts good-quality produce. It is a typical Sicilian problem we should try to eradicate."
The season will now continue with Valencia blonde oranges and lemons, which will be available until late June.
Contacts:
G. Russo & C. - Esportazione Agrumi - Frutta - Verdura
Via Degli Esportatori, 43
96016 Lentini (SR) - Italia
Tel. +39 095 901118
Fax +39 095 901233
Email: g.russo@arance-pinguino.it