When experience and innovation meet, it's possible to create new synergies while guaranteeing the same quality levels, claims a "small" Sicilian business specialised in the commerce of table grapes.
Giovanni Bellassai Srl was founded in 2013 by Giovanni and Lorenzo Bellassai. "This year, we're expecting our turnover to increase as we aim at doubling the million and a half Euros reached during the past campaign."
Lorenzo Bellassai in a vineyard of the Victoria variety
The new business takes advantage of the experience and know-how of the 72-year-old father and the freshness and strive for innovation of the 34-year-old son. "We always bear in mind the work carried out by my father, but we look ahead to place on the market a product with high organoleptic qualities that is much appreciated both in Italy and abroad."
Black Magic grapes
"We want to be a safe harbour for producers and suppliers as well as for domestic and foreign customers. Nowadays, it's rare to be able to provide guarantees and we want to become a model for everyone. Professionalism, complying with agreements and keeping the word given are the basis to establish lasting relationships."
Victoria grapes
"We hold the GlobalGAP, IFS, Bio and GlobalGAP GRASP certifications, which are needed to work with retail chains."
The company mainly works with the foreign market (70%). "Our produce is available in central-eastern Europe and in the UAE. The latter is the overseas destination that is easier to reach. Customers know and appreciate our varieties and our windows lasts 2-3 weeks (mid-June/early-July). Even though Egypt dominates the first part of the campaign, our grapes is still in demand and bear the 18-20 day transit time really well."
Black Magic grapes
"We started harvesting the first batches of Victoria and Black Magic grapes on 19th May, a few days later than expected due to the weather. Quality is excellent for what concerns both bunches and single grapes. The Brix level should be of 13-14°, which is medium-high for early grapes."
Victoria grapes
"We're hoping sales will be satisfactory, so producers can cover the high production cost and have a margin to invest. Final consumers often have no idea what it takes to produce grapes."
Black Magic grapes
"The price of grapes from overseas, and especially from South Africa and Chile, was still good until last week. We're expecting prices to be satisfactory. The produce from Egypt and Israel will be available at the same time as ours, but it's not too much of a problem as their varieties are different."
"In Italy, interest should peak during the first few weeks while, abroad, demand should pick up when the large volumes of grapes from overseas ends."
Contacts:
Lorenzo Bellassai
Cell.: +39 339 8638049
Giovanni Bellassai Srl
Viale del Lavoro
95040 Mazzarrone (CT)
Email: lorenzobellassai@gmail.com
Web: www.giovannibellassai.it