The stone fruit season is proceeding as expected this time of year. The produce has a good quality with average prices. Salvatore Lodico, president of Coop. Insieme from Canicattì (AG), reports that they are "focusing more and more on early varieties, which have an excellent flavor and deep color."
Salvatore Lodico
Markets and competition
"Average quotations are increasing by 10% in 2020 compared to last year, reaching a producer price of €0.40-0.70/kg."
The destinations for the cooperative are the Italian wholesale markets as well as the main northern European markets in Germany, France and Belgium in particular. The company grows 80 hectares of apricots and 200 hectares of peaches in total. The table grape season will start soon with 40 hectares of the Victoria variety. Italia grapes and other varieties, which cover 300 ha, will become available in the summer.
"Our stone fruit production is divided as follows: 10% organic, 40% traditional and 50% integrated control orchards. This year, there is less competition from Apulia and Emilia-Romagna though competition from abroad, mainly from Spain and Greece, is fierce due to their higher quantities, although organoleptic quality is not as good as ours."
Making local productions more competitive
"In order to become more competitive, there should be a standard wage policy on a European level, as salaries in Spain and Greece are lower than in Italy. What is more, transport costs should be contained , as shipping produce from Sicily costs 7 eurocents more than from Apulia and 10 eurocents more than from Spain."
Contacts:
Società Cooperativa Agricola Insieme
C.da Cannemasche, snc S.S. 122 KM 37,500
92024 - Canicattì (AG)
Tel.: + 39 333 245 4985
Fax: + 39 0922 852931
Email: soc.coop.insieme@virgilio.it