2019 was the worst season of the past few years for green asparagus as the bad weather led to delayed production, low quantities and market prices not in line with expectations.
The harvesting of new-season asparagus grown using forced cultivation started a few days ago and, thanks to the mild temperatures, quality is exceptional.
"This terrible situation is making the segment think about the future of green asparagus. Only few producers have the intention of planting new crops. After all, over the past few years, the number of hectares planted on a national level has grown, making it difficult to place the produce in late seasons where production is concentrated in just a few weeks," explains Giancarlo Benella, sales manager of Soc. Agr. C.O.P.A. Soc. Coop.
Because of the complex situation on a productive and commercial level, the cooperative set out a development plan that includes direct actions aimed at producer members with grants for the set up of new asparagus beds. In addition, this solution is aimed to those who favor early productions in greenhouses and polytunnels."
Perspectives for 2020
The cooperative aims at promoting the green asparagus grown by its partners highlighting its high-quality and healthiness and stressing the added value conveyed by the Maremma Laziale production territory.
"This is why we have initiated the process to obtain the Asparago Verde di Canino IGP mark in cooperation with ARSIAL-Regione Lazio. We are defining the specifications as we identify the peculiarities of the local product. This year, we have also started the procedure to obtain the Zero Residue certification to meet the increasing demands from our consumers and clients," states Sergio Marcoaldi, technical-agronomic manager at COPA.
Sergio Marcoaldi (technician and agronomist), Ernesto Baglioni (president), Giancarlo Benella (sales manger) and Fabio Fracassi (warehouse manager) from C.O.P.A., Cooperativa Ortofrutticola Produttori Associati di Canino (Viterbo).
Berlin: an unmissable event
Fruit Logistica is the leading international event when it comes to fresh produce and asparagus is currently one of the excellencies from the Lazio region. The COPA cooperative is focused on promoting the product.
"We are displaying our first seasonal asparagus. Our early production is grown in polytunnels heated with warm water of geothermal origin. The Berlin event is the perfect occasion to establish new commercial relationships but it is also a moment to meet our historic clients and organize the upcoming spring-summer campaign," reports COPA president Ernesto Baglioni.
The ARSIAL-Regione Lazio collective stand organized plenty of initiatives involving an excellent chef who will present all of the products from Lazio found at the fair during three daily events.
Soc. Agr. C.O.P.A. will be part of the ARSIAL-Regione Lazio collective stand in Hall 4.2/Stand C-07. The size of the stand has doubled this year, after considering the significant interest and many guests during the past edition.
Contacts:
Società Agricola C.O.P.A. soc. coop.
Via Pietro Nenni snc
01011 Canino (VT)
Tel.: +39 0761 438207
Fax: +39 0761 437458
Email: info@copacanino.it
Website: www.copacanino.it