Italy: Lozupone Import Export to increase seedless grape volumes

"Seedless grapes seems to be of high quality this year - volumes are slightly lower than 2016 but trees are well-balanced. Bunches have a good structure, which is important for processing and handling," explains Natale Lozupone from Lozupone Import Export in Rutigliano (BA). The company was established this year as an evolution of Lozupone Natale, which had been operating on the market for twenty years.

"Last year we commercialised around 3,000 tons and we are expecting an increase, mostly of the seedless varieties. We started harvesting the Black Magic variety on June 5th and, in a few weeks time, we will start with Victoria and the other varieties."

2016 was a positive year, not so much for a few red seedless varieties and Red Globe but for white seedless and the Italia variety. "We want to increase our presence on the seedless market, that's why we have introduced a new processing line in a second facility nearby."

Crops - all of which hold the GlobalGAP certification and follow Regione Puglia's SQNPI - cover approximately 60 hectares and new vineyards will be planted over the next few years. They are located in south-west Bari, an area particularly suitable for the production of table grapes.

"We produce 40% of the grapes distributed, the rest comes from suppliers."

The company's commercial production calendar goes from June to December-January and the varieties grown are: Black Magic, Victoria, Summer Royal, Italia, Palieri, Red Globe, Black Pearl, Autumn Giant, Crimson, Apulia Rose, Regal, Superior, Allison. "Our grapes are distributed on both the domestic and foreign markets (Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, England, North European countries such as Sweden and Denmark, Poland, Arab Emirates, Dubai, Sri Lanka)".

Brands and packaging
Lozupone Import Export distributes its produce under the "Rossella", "Lino", "Lozupone" and "Natural Fruit" brands but also works with private labels, with which has been partnering for many years.

The produce is available in 4-5-6-7 kg cardboard, wood and polypropylene crates, punnets and carrybags.

Contacts:
Lozupone Import Export srl
Piazza delle Regioni, 4
70018 Rutigliano (BA)
Tel.: +39 (0)804767878
Fax: +39 (0)804778763
Email: info@lozupone.it
Web: www.lozupone.it
Facebook: LozuponeNatale
Instagram: goo.gl/mlMN41