"The 2019 lemon season is paying the price of the heavy rain in May, which slowed down harvesting. In fact, a lot of fruit is still found in the groves near the sea."
"Fruits are slightly overripe with large grades. The heat is definitely making itself felt, leading to numerous drops. Unlike this year, 2018 was actually characterized by the lack of produce," reports Carlo De Riso, president of the Costieragrumi PO.
During a tour of the lemon orchards along the Amalfi coast hosted by De Riso, we could see how cultivation techniques have remained unchanged. Trees are still supported by chestnut wooden frames built by the growers themselves.
By bending the branches growing upwards, it is possible to form a sort of dome so as to protect the tree from the weather. Branches are tied to the frame using willow shoots. Harvesting is carried out by hand, then the fruit is transported on the workers' backs.
"I would like to praise local producers, as they grow genuine healthy lemons making huge sacrifices and without post-harvesting treatments. I would like to ask those making quality checks to be less rigid if a few fruits within a batch are slightly overripe - this is what is good about natural products."
Costieragrumi lemons are treatment, wax and preservative-free. "It is better to prefer lemons with a few imperfections than those that look perfect but have undergone treatments and are therefore no longer natural. Sending back produce such as ours means damaging the dignity of producers that perform what has been defined as 'heroic agriculture'."
Contacts:
Costieragrumi De Riso S.r.l
Via Pioppi, snc - Loc. Tufo
84010 - Minori - SA
Tel: (+39) 089 877788
Email: info@costieragrumi.it
Website: www.costieragrumi.it