"We are commercializing the last batches of Tarocco Gallo in addition to the late pigmented Tarocco Meli and Sant'Alfio varieties, with which we will reach late May and June respectively. Saturday we will start with late blonde oranges Valencia and Ovale. Volumes are higher than last year by at least 35%, so grades are smaller," reports Giovanni Scavo, sales manager at Il Girasole Soc. Coop.
In the photo: Giovanni Scavo.
Il Girasole cultivates fruit all year round: Navel, Tarocco, Moro and Sanguinello oranges, Nova clementines, late tangerines from Ciaculli, apricots, peaches and nectarines.
"The main problems we have had to deal with after Easter include a drop in foreign commerce due to the closure of H&R channels and the short shelf-life determined by the frost, sudden temperature changes and continuous Etna eruptions. The Spanish citrus fruit managed better, especially abroad."
The small grades destined to the fruit juice industry achieved higher prices compared to the past campaign, also due to the low stock. As is widely known, the 2019/20 campaign was not great for the industry unlike this year, which was characterized by a 50% increase in the volumes destined to industrial processing.
"Despite the drop in foreign demand, the domestic market responded well - we have managed to place our citrus fruit, although at lower prices than last year. We are now dealing with the lack of labor. It seems as if it is less tiresome to do the 'scozzolatura' of prickly pears or the thinning of nectarines rather than to harvest oranges."
Il Girasole - a company boasting a renewable energy system that makes it self-sufficient when it comes to storing and processing - is among the first to use clean energy with a low environmental impact and causing minimum pollution.
Contacts:
Il Girasole Soc. Coop.
VIA Francesco Petrarca, 51
95047 Paternò (CT) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 095 623381
Email: info@ilgirasolearance.com
Web: www.ilgirasolearance.com