Sergio and Giuseppe Pandozzi
They own one hectare and a half so far, in which they have planted blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and wild strawberries. Everything started just a few months ago on a black brackish soil, and this is why they have opted for soil-less cultivation with a drip irrigation system.
Above and below: potted blueberry plants (Source: company video)
"We grow multiple varieties for each type of berry, so we can identify which are most suitable for our area. All plant material comes from Italy."
Above and below: wild strawberries (Source: company video)
Even though we are talking about a startup, the harvesting of blackberries ended approximately three weeks ago, with 60 plants producing 30 kg of produce per row.
Above and below: blackberries (Source: company video)
Remontant varieties were chosen for raspberries, while blueberries are maybe the ones that did not adapt so well, though experimentation continues.
Above and below: raspberries (Source: company video)
Sergio Pandozzi talks about the difficulties that come with the job: "harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, as the fruits are very delicate. We have done everything ourselves so far, but have realised labour will be the next thing we need to tackle."
Right after being harvested, the produce is placed in cold storage units and has a one week shelf-life. The fruit is sold directly in the Fondi, Sabaudia, San Felice, Terracina and Rome areas. "During the first year, we focused on creating a client base that includes restaurants, ice-cream parlours as well as a laboratory producing jam."
The fruit is supplied in 125 gram punnets in cardboard crates. The season lasts between May and September.
Nobody financed their project, but the two brothers are satisfied nonetheless, as supply exceeded demand. "Just one month ago, we were delivering 40-50 kg a day of raspberries that included 10 gram berries."
A famous artisan ice-cream parlour in Terracina measured a 15% fructose content in their berries, which is pretty high.
Cultivation is carried out without chemicals and the environment is so well preserved that the bees used for pollination proliferated.
The website will launch next year. In the meantime, you're welcome to visit their Facebook page.
Contacts:
Sweet Berries
Via delle Cannete, snc
04019 Terracina (LT)
Giuseppe Pandozzi - contitolare
Cell.: (+39) 320 1665537
Email: albipanda08@gmail.com
Facebook: https://it-it.facebook.com/Sweet-Berries-220410631794855/