This was said by Primo Forcina (in the photo), sales manager for La Forcina Antonio, a company located in Fondi established in the 1980s by his father Antonio.
"We used to be producers until ten years ago, as we come from a long line of growers. In the 1950s, we were among the first to export our oranges to Switzerland, Germany and Belgium."
Over the years, the company decided to focus on the commercialisation of top-quality products, "in order to bring them to the tables of consumers guaranteeing unique flavour and freshness."
"We're aware that high-quality produce costs more than average, but our customers choose us specifically for the characteristics of our fruit. We personally inspect the goods in all production areas and along the entire chain so as to select the best varieties, especially if they are destined abroad."
Antonio Forcina, purchasing manager of the company he established in 1987.
"Our growing systems have a low environmental impact. We carry out inspections along the entire chain, from harvesting to selling."
The product range is extremely wide and the company handles over 15 thousand tons of produce every year including: apricots, Navel and Tarocco oranges, Roman broccoli, cauliflower, cherries, clementines, strawberries, lemons, persimmons, Annurca apples, Miyagawa tangerines, nectarines, peaches, plums.
The warehouse covers 7000 square metres, 3000 of which are covered, there are around 50 specialised operators as well as transport vehicles. State-of-the-art machinery and equipment is used to process and store produce in refrigerated units such as those using ozone for the purification purposes. Ozone is effective against all micro-organisms, bacteria, viruses, moulds and spores and, unlike other products, it has no contraindications as it does not produce toxic residues.
"Our commitment doesn't end with harvesting but continues along the entire chain, as we employ the best processing and packaging techniques to safeguard our products and consumers."
90% of the produce commercialised is of Italian origin. "We selected the most qualified companies for seasonal productions in territories such as Lazio, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Veneto."
90% of the produce commercialised is of Italian origin. "We selected the most qualified companies for seasonal productions in territories such as Lazio, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Veneto."
Citrus fruit comes from Puglia and Sicily. "From Puglia, we buy mostly clementines. They cost around 20 eurocents more per kg than in other areas, but they are top quality. I believe Puglia has great potential thanks to its fertile lands. It helped us grow especially with exports."
As regards stone fruit, Primo comments: "Unlike the past 5-6 years, where the abundant rains ruined harvests, 2017 was a good year for peaches. We harvested excellent produce until a just a few days ago."
"The worst moment was August, when temperatures reached 47-48°C. Luckily the produce was so sweet that we exported it."
"As regards strawberries from Basilicata, we commercialise top-quality produce that helped us conquer the British and German markets also thanks to its unmistakable flavour and excellent shelf-life."
The company holds the UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 certification and implements good hygiene practices in line with the HACCP approach.
The produce is given to M.O.F., the wholesale centre in Fondi, which works on both a domestic and international level, especially with France, Spain, Poland, Germany, Malta and England.
"60% of our produce is commercialised through retail chains, wholesalers and direct sales. Our clients are located all over Italy, from Sicily to Trentino. 40% of our turnover derives from exports in countries such as France, Germany, England and Malta, though a lot of produce is shipped to Eastern Europe as well, Slovenia, Croatia and Poland in particular."
"There is still a lot to be done. We need to promote our produce and resources more. I have to say I'm really proud when they require our produce from abroad. A client from Warsaw recently told me that, while there is a lot of Italian produce abroad, quality is what makes the difference rather than price. Low quality is cheaper, but it's also harder to sell."
"There is still a lot to be done. We need to promote our produce and resources more. I have to say I'm really proud when they require our produce from abroad. A client from Warsaw recently told me that, while there is a lot of Italian produce abroad, quality is what makes the difference rather than price. Low quality is cheaper, but it's also harder to sell."
Contacts:
La Forcina Antonio
Via della Torre, 91
Fondi (LT) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0771 513800
Cell.: (+39) 335 7730696
Email: info@antonioforcina.it
Web: www.antonioforcina.it