GB Italia is a leading company in the production and marketing of stone fruit and table grapes. Marsello Lo Sardo, co-owner of the company with his brother-in-law Tonino Muratore, talked about the season.
Apricots: problematic but a satisfactory campaign
"This year was exceptional for early apricots when it comes to both production and marketing, with prices hovering between €1.30 and €1.50. However, the volumes of the later produce were lower than expected due to the rain in April."
Marsello Lo Sardo
"That situation led to a crisis in quotations for the majority of growers, who found it difficult to sell their products. As GB Italia, we were rewarded by retailers who recognized our reliability and the high-quality of our products. Our supplies were in fact continuous and, as production has grown, prices have increased."
Peaches and nectarines: 50% of production with small grades
"This has been our second year marketing peaches and nectarines. The season started in June, around one month earlier than 2018, but it hasn't been great. Unfortunately, 50% of the production had a small grade we had to sell it to the processing industry at a cheap price. The other half, however, was commercialized at satisfactory prices of around €0.90-1.00."
"Unfortunately this only partly compensated for our losses considering the expenses we had to bear. Just like our apricots, our peaches and nectarines are also entirely destined to Italy."
PGI table grapes from Canicattì
Good part of the table grape production is instead destined to France and the rest of Europe. In the meantime, Victoria and Black Magic productions are in full swing.
Lo Sardo in one of the company vineyards
"Quantities are lower than last year, but quality is good. Unfortunately the low temperatures of April, May and early June affected ripening but, thanks to our sorting operations, we managed to keep standards high and guarantee 12 to 15° Brix. In addition, the Italia grape campaign is looking great."
Contacts:
Gruppo Lo Sardo
C.da Impiso Giardinelli, sn. 
92024 Canicatti (Ag) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0922 830731
Fax: (+39) 0922 829299
Email: info@gbitalia.com
Website: http://gbitalia.com/