Good quality bunches with no particular problems and the sweet flavour typical of Sicilian grapes - at Scalzo & Belluardo, the campaign started 10 days ago.
"Things are going well as Sicilian produce becomes available at a time when there is little competition. We mainly grow organic grapes of the Victoria, Red Globe and white seedless varieties. Prices of traditional table grapes have been dropping all over Italy."
"This does not apply to organic grapes which are both nice and appealing. Grapes are rather big and regular with a yellow-golden colour and a crunchy yet juicy flesh," reports Carmelo Scalzo, sole administrator and sales manager.
The company was established in the 1970s in Granieri, in the Catania province. Vineyards cover 75 hectares and produce both seeded and seedless grapes as well as apricots and nectarines.
The processing warehouse covers 600 square metres and boasts high quality standards for technologically-advanced productions with guaranteed traceability.
"We are proud of our territory, so much so that we chose a mark that represented it - Terre Biologiche di Granieri. Thirty hectares have already been converted to organic cultivation techniques, while the other 45 are currently being converted. The area is part of the Uva da tavola di Mazzarrone IGP mark."
Salvatore Scalzo, company founder and supporter of organic production techniques ever since the 1960s.
"We grow our grapes under nets and in greenhouses. Production times are longer and more diversified in greenhouses, meaning we can meet the demand of early grapes from the European market."
"We can harvest early grapes already in May, while vines under nets follow traditional ripening times. The price of organic grapes is in line with last year."
"Consumption has dropped a little, but this is actually positive as ripening is slightly later than usual."
The circumstances seem planned, considering the decision to install nets in late January instead than in late December. "Why? Because, while the fruit ripens later, quality is better."
Left: Filippo Belluardo, partner of Scalzo & Belluardo and production manager
"This in turn means our organic production is considered premium, with average prices hovering around €3.20/kg at origin."
And the business is growing, as the produce is sold to both domestic and foreign retailers (30 and 70% respectively, mainly to France, Belgium and Germany).
"We are very pleased with our work and the decision to be among the first to introduce organic techniques proved to be a good one. We managed to intercept a niche market that appreciates our efforts to grow high-quality products!"
In the future, the company would like to start growing organic pomegranates. "But we are also considering the processing industry. Our objective is to compete with countries where production costs are lower. We can count on the fertility of Sicilian soils and on a favourable climate."
"We are very pleased with our work and the decision to be among the first to introduce organic techniques proved to be a good one. We managed to intercept a niche market that appreciates our efforts to grow high-quality products!"
In the future, the company would like to start growing organic pomegranates. "But we are also considering the processing industry. Our objective is to compete with countries where production costs are lower. We can count on the fertility of Sicilian soils and on a favourable climate."
Contacts:
Scalzo & Belluardo Società Agricola Srl
Via Palermo, 36/b Granieri
95041 Caltagirone (CT)
Tel.: (+39) 0933 28189
Web: www.scalzoebelluardo.com