Italy: Ispica area hopeful for the watermelon campaign

"After all the problems caused by the New Delhi virus in the courgette campaign, we are ready for our round-oval watermelon campaign. We tackled the issue with nets, which were a considerable investment. Weather events like the recent strong winds have hit many in our area. Luckily, we were able to repair everything but some colleagues registered serious problems to tunnels and greenhouses. Considering the winds during the past campaign, this year we have used covers that were more resistant, which of course have meant higher costs," explains Giorgio Vicari, who owns 70,000 sq m of polytunnels and employs 8-10 seasonal workers.

Round-oval watermelons of the Splendid variety are grown under polytunnels even though they used to be cultivated in open fields as well. "They are sowed in late January and harvested in late April. Ortofrutticola Del Ponte then commercialises them both in Italy and abroad. Quality seems to be good, weather permitting."

Giorgio is worried about two viruses: the New Delhi virus and that of globalisation. "Sales are completely blocked on Sicilian markets despite the high quality and quantities."

A whole series of products are off-market and preserves, which are usually made in July, are being made now at good quotations. "Costs are not even covered for vegetables such as artichokes and cherry tomatoes. I don't know what we'll do if things will go bad with watermelons as well."

Contacts:
Giorgio Vicari
Az. Agr. Vicari Giorgio
Cell.: +39 334 3089068
Email: vicari.giorgio@alice.it