"Our tradition as lemon growers dates back to 1970, when our local orange was no longer competitive on the market due to the advent of other varieties, so that the price paid to the producer was no longer satisfactory. We were the first to convert the orange grove into a lemon grove. This is the story of Osvaldo Galano, owner of the company.

The company owns 7 hectares of lemon groves within the geographical area protected by the trademark Limone di Sorrento PGI, with an annual production of 150 tons. The family business is run by the head of the family, Osvaldo and his wife Carolina, together with their first-born son Mario. On their own, they carry out all the pruning and fertilising operations; only at the time of harvesting do they make use of external labour.

Osvaldo (on the right) with his son Mario

The company is very competitive and constantly updated in terms of training and agronomic management. For instance, they prefer integrated farming techniques. Being attentive to the quality guaranteed, Osvaldo Galano has had all of his lemon groves certified with the PGI-protected geographical area.

The production rules of the Sorrento lemon PGI (also called Oval lemon because of its characteristic shape) provide that the Sorrento variety is grafted on a rootstock such as bitter orange and sweet orange as an intermediary. Accordingly, the harvest has always been scalar and extends from late January to October. This aspect is further facilitated by the typical "covered" cultivation, where the plants are protected by pergolas made of a wooden structure with chestnut poles and a cover with sheets. This covering in particular, having a thermo-regulating function, defends the lemon groves from climatic adversities.

The marketing
The company is expanding. Indeed,  it has recently acquired 4 hectares, to be converted for organic. The lemons of Sorrento IGP from the Galano brand are conferred to the company I.L.P.O since 2008, which distributes them throughout Italy through the large-scale distribution channel.

Osvaldo Galano: "We are very proud of our ten-year collaboration with I.L.P.O, a serious company that pays attention to the quality and healthiness of the products it markets. The year 2019 started well, thanks to Fruit Logistica we have received new requests at national and international level; in addition to making our company more famous, this can be good in general for all lemon growers who produce the Oval of Sorrento PGI".

Galano lemons arrive all over Italy "packaged in their cardboard box", in response to new market demands and in function of environmental sustainability. Another part of Galano lemons are transformed into peels and juice in the family workshop, designed by Osvaldo himself, and they are delivered to restaurants, bars, confectioners and local confectionery companies fresh or frozen.

The entrepreneur says: "This year we have been lucky, at least so far, because we have not suffered damage from cold and we expect to start harvesting around February 20. I haven't taken off the covers over the lemons since 2015, and I feel good about it".

To the question of whether the problem of dry weather is present in the area, Osvaldo Galano replies: "Fortunately, we do not have major problems with dry weather. I believe that rational pruning, carried out with disinfected cutting material, is the right way to prevent such cryptogams".

A special citrus fruit
The citrus orchards of the Sorrento peninsula and of the Amalfi coast are of inestimable value because, with their typical terraced position on the mountain slopes, they constitute a fundamental element for the hydro-geological defence and because they generate tourism.

Specifically, the lemon of Sorrento is unrivalled. As proof of this, Professor Claudio Di Vaio, professor of fruit growing at the Department of Agriculture of the University of Naples Federico II says: "The Oval of Sorrento is recognized nationally and internationally for its fragrance and its quality, which is why it is much appreciated by consumers. I have personally conducted studies on these lemons and I have concluded that the Oval of Sorrento and the Sfusato Amalfitano (ecotypes developed by the Femminello) are the richest Italian lemons in terms of quality and quantity in essential oils: indeed, Myrcene and Limonene prevail. Obviously, in addition to the essential oils, these lemons are very rich in vitamin C".

Future prospects
Osvaldo Galano explains the horizons of the company: "Among the future challenges, there is the expansion of the company that sees my son Mario increasingly involved. We want to buy new land to increase production. We would like to think about working with other companies to become more competitive on the national and international markets".

"We are open to experimentation in the field with new production techniques; in a few months, field trials will begin, obviously on a limited plot of land. We are also moving towards an increasingly sustainable lemon growing and a safer product from a food perspective".

"We are increasing the contracts for our juices and skins, hoping to leave Campania and begin to make ourselves known throughout the country. I also hope to see higher and higher prices and to provide the market with a very competitive product. I have a dream for the future and this dream is to see my children at the head of the company.

"I come from nothing and I am proud of myself and the valuable help of my family, considering that the company has evolved and is still evolving. I trust that, from now on, the road to take will be downhill!".

"2018 was a good year for Sorrento lemons, with a satisfactory price per kilo: producer prices ranged from 1.20 €/kg in the winter-spring months to reach 3.20€ in summer and until October".

Prospects for 2019? Osvaldo concludes: "It will certainly be a good year in terms of volumes and quality characteristics of our Sorrento lemons; I strongly hope that the same levels of remuneration as in 2018 will be maintained, if not even higher".

Contacts:
Azienda agricola Galano
Via Campagnano, 7 
80067 Sorrento (NA) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 081 8774947
Mob: (+39) 339 7010735
Email: osvaldogalano@libero.it
Web: www.aziendaagricolagalano.com

Author: L.L.R. for FreshPlaza