"I could have started the table grape season already a week ago, but I preferred to wait a few days to supply produce that was excellent," explains Michele Sodano (in the photo), sales and purchasing manager for Ortofrutta Mele.
"We started harvesting the grapes growing near the sea, as the ripening of local fruit was somewhat delayed by the cold temperatures of the few weeks ago. Unlike with oranges, we don't purchase grapes by batch but by single bunches after selecting them with producers. Now that the weather is right, the earliest grapes have already reached 13-15° Brix."
The 150 tons of Victoria grapes expected will be harvested in three different stages. Michele reports that Ortofrutta Mele will continue to sell Sicilian grapes until that from Puglia will become available.
"We are following a few companies in the Taranto area as well. To us, selection is more important than yields per hectare as we aim at obtaining the maximum quality. Clearly producers usually think about quantities but, if a tree produces a lot, fruit doesn't develop the right colour or flavour. What is more, striving for high-quality means making investments, which are entirely sustained by us. For example, it's essential to remove the smaller bunches to favour the development of the best ones."
"I don't agree with those who cause difficulties for the market by supplying products that are not fully ripe. We use the Ortofrutta Mele logo with the bee branding for all our products. When a family business is growing even during a period of crisis, it means it's working well."
Michele mentions that Sodano & Polise Srl was only recently set up. "In addition to commercialising produce, my uncle Alfonso and I have started acquiring land in Campania (pomegranates), Sicily (blood oranges) and Puglia (table grapes). This way, we'll have our own quantities available."
Contacts:
Michele Sodano
Cell.: +39 333 3367869
Ortofrutta di Mele Carmela sas
Via Orlando 29
80049 Somma Vesuviana (NA)
Tel.: +39 (0)81 5307933
Fax: +39 (0)81 5308624
Email1: ortofruttamele@libero.it
Email2: ortofruttamele@legalmai.it
Michele Sodano
Cell.: +39 333 3367869
Ortofrutta di Mele Carmela sas
Via Orlando 29
80049 Somma Vesuviana (NA)
Tel.: +39 (0)81 5307933
Fax: +39 (0)81 5308624
Email1: ortofruttamele@libero.it
Email2: ortofruttamele@legalmai.it