“The sowing of the PGI Spring Carrots from Ispica is finally done”, said the president of the Protection Consortium, “The persistent rains in October caused some issues for the sowing. The situation was particularly serious during the second half of October when rains were extremely heavy.
Carmelo Calabrese
Sowing was not easy in 2018
The president explained, “We did not sow in those fields where the rainwater did not outflow properly. Fortunately, these were not large surfaces. Also, the data provided by the seed companies showed that the total sowed surfaces are the same as last years. The areas with the PGI brand are around 1.500 hectares. During November and the first half of December, fields dried out and rains stopped being that persistent, to the point that we can now state that the situation has come back to normal. The carrots in the fields are indeed growing regularly”.
Cloudbursts hit throughout South-Western Sicily. The territories that are included in the PGI area are Ispica, Pozzallo, Vittoria, Acate, Ragusa, Modica, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Comiso, Santa Croce Camerina, Scicli (though only parts of these territories are in the PGI area). Then, also Pachino, Portopalo di Capo Passero, Rosolino and Noto. Finally, small areas of the Caltagirone and Niscemi territories are within the PGI area.
Calabrese continued, “With regard to the production trend, we expect quality carrots for 2019 if rains will not be particularly heavy during December and January. Additionally, the certification institution will provide the data regarding the PGI areas at the end of the inspections, scheduled for next weeks”.
This carrots from Ispica carry the adjective ‘spring’ because they can be marketed at the beginning of February until the beginning of June. This vegetable has all the typical characteristics such as the crunchiness and the intense aroma with grassy and fruity scents.
In the next months, the Consortium will develop a communication strategy for this produce. The company will participate in Fruit Logistica 2019 and it will publish news regarding its own activities as well as the healthiness of the carrot from Ispica, in specialised magazines. The Consortium’s guidelines aim at keeping constantly high the attention on this excellent produce. After all, it seems as if the only two PGI carrot varieties in Europe come from Italy, and one of this is exactly the carrot from Ispica.
Quality above all
The president of the Consortium pointed out, “With regard to the brand and quality protection, the ICQRF’s control plans have been approved by the government. Therefore, we will do our controls with inspectors or in collaboration with the SATA company”.
The main characteristics of the Spring Carrot from Ispica are: the conic-cylindric shape, the lack of secondary or apical roots, the lucid aspect of the skin, the colour uniformity, it has no cracking in the taproot, the smallest size is of 15 mm and 50 gr and the biggest is of 40 mm and 150 gr. With regard to the physical characteristics, the carrot has a tender pulp and a slightly fibrous heart. Finally, regarding the chemical-nutritional characteristics, this produce has carbohydrates, beta-carotene and mineral salts. Some of the carrot varieties being farmed are Exelso, Dordogne, Nancò, Concerto, Romance, Naval, Chambor and Selene.
Info:
Consorzio di Tutela
Carota Novella di Ispica Igp
Via B. Spadaro, 97
97014 Ispica (RG) ITALY
Email: info@carotanovellaigp.it
Web: www.carotanovellaigp.it