Italy: Ortofrutta Mele Sicilian blood oranges available until Easter

Despite the low volumes of blood oranges, Ortofrutta Mele feels it will be able to supply them at least until Easter, "sudden increases in demand permitting," reports Michele Sodano.

Lfet: oranges on a tree. Right: Michele Sodano with mount Etna in the background.

Harvesting is still in full swing thanks to the new land acquired in the Palagonia area. "Last year was rather difficult, as prices were rather low for such a prestigious fruit. We decided to guarantee a certain profit to producers anyway and have been rewarded. We bought oranges from different suppliers in October, November and December, as we decided to be the ones taking a risk not knowing how the market will evolve."

And it was a good choice as, due to the low volumes and good quality of the fruit, sales prices increased.

At the moment, Ortofrutta Mele handles one truckload a day, for a total of 3000 tons by the end of the campaign. "We consider the fruit to be partly ours, so we carry out harvesting, washing and packaging operations very carefully."

Above and below: the company stand at the Fiera dell'Arancia in Palagonia.

For Ortofrutta Mele, the proximity with the production territory is very important, so much so that it had its own stand during the Fiera dell'Arancia held in Palagonia on 3-5 March 2017.

Left: Michele with his mother . Right: orange tasting at the stand.

Michele said that, this year, the company wanted to create a special packaging for this type of product. Even though quantities are limited, pigmentation was exceptional. "This year, the market evolved during the campaign, that's why our work must be carried out mainly on the territory."

Contacts:
Ortofrutta di Mele Carmela sas
Via Orlando 29
80049 Somma Vesuviana (NA)
Tel.: (+39) 081 5304557 / (+39) 081 5307933
Fax: (+39) 081 5308624
Email: ortofruttamele@libero.it / ortofruttamele@legalmai.it
Michele Sodano: (+39) 333 3367869