The first quantities of early tangerines have arrived on the market and consumption is lively thanks to the drop in temperatures of the past few days. "Harvesting operations on around 1,500 Satsuma Miyagawa plants started around one week ago. Demand is encouraging and prices also seem satisfactory, as they are slightly higher than 2019 at approx. €0.25/kg in the field," reports Vincenzo Motola, owner of a company with 30 hectares of citrus fruit between Puglia and Basilicata.
"The warm weather delayed ripening and, in fact, the high temperatures of the past few weeks did not facilitate coloring. Productions are however excellent when it comes to both quantities and quality - there is 20% more produce than during the last campaign and grades are good. These results were achieved thanks to excellent foliage management and an effective predisposition of plants to fructification."
"The entire production was handed over to an external trader who places the produce on the different domestic general markets. The first volumes of the other early varieties will be available in 7-10 days' time."
In addition to the old Satsuma tangerines, there is a series of new early cultivars of Spanish origin from the Prenules group that are usually harvested starting from late September-early October.
Contacts:
Società Agricola Motola
Via Don Liborio Palazzo, 44
75024, Montescaglioso (Mt)
Tel.: (+39) 3338045596