Italy: OP Monte exports kiwis all over the world

The increased kiwi yields obtained in Calabria for the 2017/18 season haven't made up for the drop on a national level which, according to CSO data, amounts to -33%. The region represents in fact only 15-20% of the total. OP Monte decided to acquire the best kiwis at a higher price hoping to make up the difference. Quotations are good for the bigger grades, not so much for the smaller ones.

2017 was a year characterised by change, as Vincenzo Sorace became the new sales director while Ninni Messina became the marketing manager.

"I was offered the position a year after I graduated. I was rather surprised, especially considering the responsibility that came with it. Now that almost a year has passed, I can confirm that it is indeed a responsibility," comments Vincenzo.

Ninni Messina and Vincenzo Sorace.

"I have been involved with the PO since I was a child, but I would never have thought to obtain such a position so young. I try to be humble and trust the experience and advice of my colleagues. In addition, I believe I have arrived during the best kiwi season: as quantities are limited, my work with the clients is more agile."

OP Monte also introduced a new logo and packaging. "But, most of all, we are constantly trying to meet client needs as regards both internal and external kiwi quality and warehouse availability."

"The weather problems that occurred during blossoming led to this lack of produce, meaning prices are much higher than in previous campaigns. This increase was partly balanced during the initial sales but now, as the produce from other operators and countries has become available, things have become slower."

Over the past four years, the main destinations of OP Monte have been Asian countries and the US. "This year, more fruit has been shipped to the US, but Asia (China, Taiwan and Singapore) remains our main objective. It's not so simple to make our partners understand that kiwis are more expensive this season despite a few slight drops after the initial quotation. In addition, this year we are also exporting organic kiwis to destinations far away and entire containers to Taiwan in particular."

"What I understood from this campaign is that the Asian markets are much more demanding than others, especially when it comes to regular shapes, light colour and firmness."

OP Monte has also shipped the first containers to South America (Brazil and Argentina), "which we were no longer used to."

"Thanks to the accurate sorting carried our in the fields and warehouse, we shipped a few containers of golden and green kiwis to Australia, which even demanded more produce." Vincenzo also adds that there are no problems as regards the commerce of Italian kiwis in Australia, aside from the fact that the GlobalGAP certification and specific analyses are required. "Actually, I was told the produce sells rather easily."

Contacts:
Vincenzo Sorace - sales director
Cell.: +39 392 1583071
Email: vinsorace@opmonte.it
Skype: vinsorace
OP Monte
C.da Fegotto, 15
89024 Polistena (RC) - Italy
Tel.: +39 (0)966 940632
Web: www.opmonte.it