The red onions from Acquaviva delle Fonti are currently being harvested, but demand seems to exceed supply. "The first pallets were shipped on Tuesday 29 June. Request is coming not only from northern Italy, but also from abroad, especially from Germany. A brisk start compared to 2020, to the point that we had to rush the harvesting operations and the hiring of labour. The smaller sizes, caused by the lack of rain, do not seem to be a problem for neither the general markets nor the supermarkets," said Giammarco Lionetti of Agriconetto.
Giammarco Lionetti
"Normally the market starts to grow from the end of July onwards, but the increasing demand of this very sweet onion, rich in flavonoids, vitamins C and B, seems to have changed the market, to the extent that it is sought after from the very first days of harvesting. The enthusiasm is high, despite the fact that we are forced to reduce the quantities. As a result, marketing prices are up by 30% compared to 2020, because of the higher costs associated with irrigation."
The red onion from Acquaviva - the average size in 2021
"The bulbs harvested so far have an average weight ranging from 300 to 500 grams, with some reaching 600 grams. These are sizes that cannot be compared with those of last season, when the average was 700-800 grams. Due to the low rainfall during the growing phase, the weight of the onions decreased by 40%, but with the emergency irrigation in early June, we were able to increase the weight by about 100-150 grams."
"Ten hectares have been planted, of which three have already been harvested and marketed. With four days to go before the start of the new season, we cannot store the onions, as they are sold immediately after harvest. If this continues, we think we will be finished in the second ten days of August, which is almost a month earlier than expected."
For more information:
Agriconetto Srl
Sede operativa - Sp 127 km1
70021 Acquaviva delle Fonti (Ba)
(+39) 389/8286512 – 333/6100998
agriconetto@gmail.com
agriconettosrl.com