We just started the watermelon campaign. Currently, we have no feedback from end consumers because we are only at the beginning. Based on the volumes we have, we can't even keep up with customer demand. The initial quotations seem fair," says Alessio Mattia, the sales manager of Agrieuropa in Terracina, in the province of Latina in the Lazio region. The company began its watermelon campaign a week ago with the Dumara variety, followed by mini watermelons.
"We began exporting to Northern Europe immediately and have recently started our first deliveries in Italy. As we are still in the early stages, our quantities are limited, and we are currently unable to meet all customer demand. However, we anticipate increased volumes starting in early June."
"In recent days, we've observed a growing demand for mini watermelons. We initially launched with limited quantities due to a shortage of Spanish watermelons, which has driven up domestic demand."
Watermelon is the flagship product of Agrieuropa's summer season, supported by a complementary campaign featuring seasonal vegetables such as courgettes, cucumbers, peppers, and aubergines. We will continue harvesting and marketing the Dumara variety until early September, while the mini variety will be available through the end of July."
"We're happy with the quality of the watermelons because they meet our customers' minimum requirements regarding Brix, size, and shelf life," he explains.
Agrieuropa produces, processes, and packages vegetables in the heart of the Agro Pontino area across the municipalities of Terracina, San Felice Circeo, Sabaudia, and Pontinia. The 400-hectare area includes 303 hectares of greenhouses and 100 hectares of open fields.
During the winter vegetable campaign, Agrieuropa handles various products, including small salads, such as valerian, spinach, and rocket, as well as courgettes, parsley root, long turnips, round turnips, kohlrabi, radishes, and carrots. Most of these products are destined for export.
"Looking at the vegetable trend, the courgette campaign is proceeding disastrously," says the sales manager. "It is marked by low prices, to the point that many producers are considering abandoning their fields. Soon, courgette planting in open fields will begin, in the hope of improving prices. Cucumbers are also in full production, and we are experiencing the same situation as with courgettes: Low prices and demand lower than supply."
Starting in June, Agrieuropa will begin harvesting and marketing peppers and aubergines. The latter represents a new productive and commercial challenge for the company.
For more information:
Agrieuropa Soc. Coop. Agr.
S.S. 148 Pontina Km 97,700
04019 Terracina (LT) - Italy
+39 0773 756158
+39 0773 756408
[email protected]
www.agrieuropa.it