Pomegranate plants with, in the background, the artificial reservoir that compensates for any water shortage
Azienda Agricola Cucurullo, managed by siblings Francesco and Carolina, is now a cutting-edge company that grows and commercialises fresh fruit. Orchards cover 130 hectares between the Caltanissetta and Agrigento provinces and are used for the cultivation of table grapes, apricots, peaches, pomegranates and persimmons.
Nectarines
"We invested in varietal and technological innovation, so much so that we have multiple fruit processing units that enable the sorting of good quality fruit."
Ripening persimmons
Good quality is also achieved thanks to hygienic and sanitary checks, especially since the machines enable the sorting of fruit per size and ripening stage in just a few seconds. The entire production also holds the GlobalGAP certification.
Italia table grapes
"Once the fruit is sorted and packaged, it's ready to reach consumers through the retail channel. We also guarantee the traceability of each single fruit along the entire chain. Our management is much appreciated by retailers, who recognise us as a trustworthy partner."
Processing of Divina nectarines
"Most of the production is destined to the domestic market, while a small part is shipped abroad for a niche clientele. In the future, we are looking to extend the crops and introduce a range of processed products."
The interview
Every year, the company produces:
- apricots, 700 tons
- peaches, 600 tons;
- Italia grapes, 300 tons;
- pomegranates, 70 tons;
- persimmons, 16 tons.
The corridor leading to controlled temperature units
- peaches, 600 tons;
- Italia grapes, 300 tons;
- pomegranates, 70 tons;
- persimmons, 16 tons.
The corridor leading to controlled temperature units
There are three areas destined for commercialisation: a storage unit for the produce arriving from the fields, a packaging section and cold-storage units that can store over 400 tons of fruit.
Processing line
Processing line
Each product follows its own standard and all the fruit is taken to the warehouse for traceability registrations within 30 minutes from harvesting.
There is a separate processing line for each product - peaches and nectarines are sorted per size and colour by a pre-grading line and placed in 10 kg crates before being stored in units at 2°C.
As for apricots, because these fruits are quite delicate, they are immediately stored in units and are only sorted per size, colour and defects when orders come in.
Above: numeric controls guarantee high-quality and traceability
There are 2 other processing lines in the packaging warehouse for the grading and packaging not only of peaches and nectarines, but also of Saturn peaches, pomegranates and persimmons.
There is a separate processing line for each product - peaches and nectarines are sorted per size and colour by a pre-grading line and placed in 10 kg crates before being stored in units at 2°C.
As for apricots, because these fruits are quite delicate, they are immediately stored in units and are only sorted per size, colour and defects when orders come in.
Above: numeric controls guarantee high-quality and traceability
There are 2 other processing lines in the packaging warehouse for the grading and packaging not only of peaches and nectarines, but also of Saturn peaches, pomegranates and persimmons.
The multiple processing lines are essential to package various types of products at the same time. There are 500 gr punnets as well as 30x40-30x50-40x60 crates.
Once ready, the produce is placed in the refrigerated loading platform ready to be loaded on the trucks, maintaining the cold chain.
Contacts:Clubfruit Srl
Viale Sicilia, 156
93100 - Caltanissetta
Tel.: +39 3397425998
Fax: +39 0934392003
Email: francesco.cucurullo@gmail.com
Web: www.clubfruit.it