Sant'Orsola general director Matteo Bortolini reports a consistent recovery after the lockdown, with increasing blueberry consumption and strawberry harvesting in full swing.
FreshPlaza (FP): How did things go for Sant'Orsola in June, July and August?
Matteo Bortolini (MB): We spent the three summer months returning to a progressive stability after the difficult lockdown phase. We evolved to meet market demand. The entire 2020 season has been good when it comes to both quantities and quality except for cherries, which were affected by the cold spring temperatures. We can say we are generally rather pleased, though.
FP: What products were the most popular?
MB: We cannot say there has been a stark distinction between the various products. Blueberry consumption is definitely on the up, but the popularity of all fruits of the forest is increasing - raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and currants.
FP: Raspberries and blueberries - were yields and quality consistent all over Italy?
MB: Raspberry production is constant while that of blueberries is increasing despite the heat in August. Quality is very high thanks to the considerable investments our partners have made over the years regarding varietal renewal and covers.
FP: What is currently being harvested?
MB: Temperatures have dropped over the past few days, especially during the night. This slowed down raspberries and blackberries, while the harvesting of strawberries is in full swing and that of blueberries is almost over. Red and white currants are already in storage units. Harvesting is currently in full swing in Trentino and will start in Veneto soon, followed by Calabria and Sicily when it gets colder in the north.
FP: How has the Italian market being doing over the past three months?
MB: The Italian market has been recovering after the peak of the pandemic. There are still a few difficulties for those supplying the H&R sector, but our distribution is working well. We have managed to organize ourselves more and have become partners of our clientele.
FP: Have you got news in store or will you focus on specific aspects in the future months?
MB: We have news in store as well as a few projects that have been postponed to 2021. We will focus on sustainable packaging and paper use.
FP: What are the prospects in the short term?
MB: We hope things will go back to normal over the next few months so as to bounce back from what happened during the first part of the year and look at 2021 with a more positive outlook.
Contacts:
Sant'Orsola Soc. Coop. Agricola
Via per Trento 11/e
38057 Pergine Valsugana (TN)
Tel.: +39 0461 518111
Website: www.santorsola.com