"Spring onions are an Italian product typically grown in Campania (in the Agro nocerino-sarnese area). On the market, however, it is also possible to find winter produce from Egypt," reports Gennaro Napolitano from F.lli Napolitano.
"The market thus sells both the Italian produce, which complies with EU specifications and which is processed, weighed, tied and manually sorted, as well as that from Egypt which has a good performance thanks to the favorable climate conditions and lower quotations due to the cheaper labor. The spring produce has to compete instead with the German and French productions."
The company is a historic spring onion producer. Crops cover around 80 hectares with around 10 hectares in greenhouses to obtain produce with a top quality that can reach higher quotations.
Harvesting takes place between September and June, 90% for white spring onions and 10% for red spring onions, produced between March and June and destined mainly to Baltic countries. What is more, the company processes 80% thin spring onions and 20% bulb spring onions, mainly between March and June.
The company is looking for new sales channels. "Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary and Norway represent new markets where we need to strengthen our presence. The only problem is the considerable distance between Italy and these countries, so we are getting organized with mixed shipments so as to reduce transport times and supply multiple products at the same time and be more competitive."
Bulb onions destined mainly to the Baltic countries and France
"We also supply European general markets, where we are known as rocket and spring onion producers. The produce is sold under the F.lli Napolitano brand and we are very proud of this, as it has enabled to strengthen our contacts in Europe. However, we have registered 10-15% drops due to the Coronavirus, as orders have dropped since delicatessen and restaurants are closed. Luckily, we work with the big retail chain as well, so not everything was lost."
Peeled onions, available from May for Slovakia and Hungary
"Lastly, the company also processes peeled onions. Our aim is to channel this product mainly in Hungary and Slovakia as well as in all other Eastern European countries."
Contacts
Gennaro Napolitano - sales manager
Cell.: +39 338 9372614
Fratelli Napolitano
Via XXV Aprile, 105
80040 Poggiomarino (NA) - Italy
Tel.: +39 081 5285232
Francesco Napolitano - sales manager
Cell.: +39 329 160 8552
Contrada Cioffi, 114
84025 Eboli (SA) - Italy
Tel.: +39 0828 347395
Email: info@fratellinapolitano.it
Website: www.fratellinapolitano.it