"Weather permitting, the harvesting of Universa new potatoes will start in more or less one week's time. "After a disappointing vegetable campaign, we are hoping things will improve with potatoes. Last year things had gone very well until 25th April 2017 and then changed. This season, we are expecting 30-40% less produce due to the fact that seeds were more expensive," explains Tonino Zito, sales manager for Soc. Agr. Zito & Co. s.r.l., a company that owns 40 hectares, 25 of which are destined to new potato crops.
"In March, the lower yields are due to the winter drought and a few rather windy days, but quality is good. Yields and quality are expected to be satisfactory in April."
The varieties grown in the Syracuse area are mainly Arizona and Universa (70%) followed by Bellini (20%) and Arinda (10%). "We will start with Universa potatoes as Arizona had been germinating really slowly. The campaign will end in late May-early June."
"The season will not start with the same quotations as last year. This is because there are still old French potatoes available on the market that have a low quality and are therefore sold at low prices. I hope our levels are suitable yet not too high not to scare clients and consumers. With a production cost of around €0.40/kg, we're hoping to sell our new potatoes at €0.60-0.80/kg."
"The season will not start with the same quotations as last year. This is because there are still old French potatoes available on the market that have a low quality and are therefore sold at low prices. I hope our levels are suitable yet not too high not to scare clients and consumers. With a production cost of around €0.40/kg, we're hoping to sell our new potatoes at €0.60-0.80/kg."
The produce from Syracuse will though have to deal with washable French productions with a cost of €0.10-0.13/kg as well as Italian (Bologna and Sardinia) and foreign (Israel, Tunisia, Egypt and Cyprus) productions.
"A delay is expected for new potatoes from Puglia due to the frost. This means our window is extended."
Contacts:
Francesco Zito - production manager
Cell.: +39 331 4001978
Simone Zito - logistics and processing manager
Cell.: +39 338 6813107
Tonino Zito - sales manager
Cell.: +39 348 4059221
ZITO & CO. s.r.l. soc.agr.
via Teti 10
96010 Cassibile di Siracusa (SR)
Tel.: +39 (0)931 791600
Fax: +39 (0)931 791750
Email: info@agrizito.it
Web: www.agrizito.it