It has been a fluctuating season for Sicilian vegetables, though things have been improving between the end of the past year and the first ten days of January 2021, especially for zucchini and round eggplants.
Giovanni Astuto
FreshPlaza talked about it with Giovanni Astuto, president of OP Platinum in Ragusa, Sicily.
"Prices fluctuated due to the arrival of the cold temperatures in Sicily as well despite the two days of abnormal warmth (which also reached 18°C), which added to the unfavorable weather in Spain. This led to higher prices in Spain which in turned lifted ours. We went from 20 eurocents per kg for traditional zucchini to over €1. Round zucchini went from 60 eurocents per kg to over €1.30/kg. Cucumbers went from 20 eurocents per kg (with unsold produce) to 80 eurocents per kg. Tomato prices have been more stales across all segments."
"As regards our productions, not only there are no problems to report, but things are actually going very well, proof of the fact our management of greenhouse crops improves year after year, also thanks to the collaboration of external professionals."
"Red tomato production is in full swing, especially for midi plum, date and cherry tomatoes. We focus on the high end of the market with products that have excellent flavor and high brix level."
"Round eggplants are also doing well, and our representatives from the big retail chains have told us that we have been doing exceptionally well when it comes to bell peppers. Of course we are talking about the Sweet Palermo variety."
"We employ integrated control techniques with zero residue, with processes that can be managed easily using soilless cultivation. What is more, all our products are Nickel tested."
Contacts:
O.P. Platinum Soc. Coop. Agr. 
C.da Piombo, s.n.
97100 Ragusa - Sicily – Italy
Tel. 1: +39 330 814094 Giovanni Astuto
Tel. 2: +39 339 4191445 Salvatore Astuto
Tel. 3.: +39 0932510202
Fax: +39 0932511911
Email: coopagrplatinum@alice.it
Website: www.opplatinum.it