"The new potato season in Salento went well until May 23rd, then prices started to drop. Quality was good, with medium grades and average yields per hectare," explains Francesco Romano, manager of Ro.Gr.An. This year, for the German market in particular, the company packaged its potatoes in jute sacks treated with natural soy oil certified with a small label that reads 'food grade'.
"In the end, however, Germans too look at the price. We can meet all demands - obtain certifications and develop various packaging solutions - but it all revolves about the cheapest price."
Washed Sieglinde potatoes in a 3 kg crate. Grade 20-33. Destined to supermarkets.
Watermelons
Ro.Gr.An started harvesting greenhouse watermelons 10 days ago. "Demand is lively in Europe due thanks to the heat. We are working with produce from Lecce. Quality is excellent, watermelons are ripe and prices are rather interesting."
"Watermelons from Puglia will be available between now and September, also from Matera and Taranto. We mainly focus on oblong watermelons weighing between 8-14 or 6-8 kg in bins or cardboard boxes."
Oblong watermelons are also demanded by the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland. "The latter requires produce up to 8 kg, while the other nations opt for fruit between 8 and 14 kg."