The 2025 summer campaign has started at Agro Mediterranea Distribuzione, a company specialising in the supply of fruit and vegetables to the big retail trade with produce already available, and a high-quality performance of both melon and watermelon products.
Andrea Manca, partner in the company together with Filippo Frongia, confirmed that the harvesting of substantial volumes started last week. "We started with all the lines: green Piel de Sapo melons under the 'Il Nuragico' brand, mini watermelons and Solero melons, a variety with salmon-pink flesh which we have been working with for three years and which, this year, registered 20° Brix in the field. Such high quality allows us to guarantee a tasty, stable and recognisable product for our end customers right from the start."
© AGRO MEDITERRANEA DISTRIBUZIONE
In addition to the already well-established products, the company has also started to test new varieties, such as a melon selected in limited quantities and characterised by a distinctive flavour. "The product has interesting potential, and we are assessing it for a possible targeted commercial launch."
Tight pace, yet in line with the schedule
The production calendar has undergone some changes due to the weather conditions: the lack of certainty regarding water availability in the spring months imposed a more restrained schedule, with the main objective of not compromising the transplanted areas. "We have maintained the volumes planned, but due to the rain that fell in May during the transplanting phase, three batches have overlapped, generating a production peak concentrated in these weeks. The effect is a massive and simultaneous supply of product, which we are managing with a progressive opening of our channels according to availability and market response."
Ready products, open codes, and guaranteed quality
Despite the fluctuating weather, the commercial season started on a positive note: "We have already started sales several days ago, although initially with low volumes. We are now proceeding with the activation of the entire customer network. The response has been immediate: the big retail trade has opened up to us without hesitation, a sign of the trust we have gained over the years."
Quality consistency is particularly appreciated: "Solero melons, just like the mini watermelons and other varieties, have a very high sugar content, with stable and above-average values. A fact that enhances the product and improves the buying experience."
© AGRO MEDITERRANEA DISTRIBUZIONE
On the commercial front, the moment is favourable in terms of demand, although the average price does not yet reflect the full value of the product. "Demand is lively, orders are coming in, but prices are low because the weather problems at the beginning of the season affected many producers. Right now, the primary objective is to place the product regularly while we wait for the market to absorb the peaks and settle down, as it does every year during the central part of the campaign."
Maximum attention is also paid to the changing weather conditions: "All it takes is one very hot day or a murder of crows to completely change the volumes and price balance. That is why we maintain a flexible and reactive approach at every stage."
The tomato situation
In addition to melons and watermelons, Agro Mediterranea Distribuzione works on other product lines as well. Tomatoes - in particular cherry, date and Piccadilly tomatoes - are among the most well-established references: "This is a product we work with all year round and the market is now stabilising after a price peak."
Multi-residue control and improved farm monitoring
An ambitious quality project is underway, which is the result of a close collaboration with a major distribution chain. "The work we are carrying out aims to redefine agricultural production standards through the adoption of extremely strict parameters. The goal is to achieve the presence of five active molecules at 33% of the maximum permitted limit (RMA), ensuring that their overall sum is at least 80%. In addition, the maximum acquired value of these molecules must be less than 90%, with a specific focus on reducing their toxicity."
"This effort, which has been going on for about a year, requires a considerable yet necessary effort, and has led to the implementation of a multi-residue control system and improved farm monitoring. The aim is to make all producers aware of the problems associated with multi-residues and the way they potentially damage our health. This innovative approach is already being applied to all marketed products with continuously improving results."
For more information:
Andrea Manca - sales manager
+39 342 3390390
Agro Mediterranea Distribuzione Srl
S.P. 56 Km 0.500 Loc. Perdalba
09027 Serrenti (SU) - Italy
[email protected]
www.agromed.it
