To ensure continuity and to create employment and social opportunities in the area, growers' organization Eco Farm decided a few years ago to also grow and market persimmons. This is a courageous choice, dating back to before the pandemic, but one that has proved to be successful.
The kaki crop of the Butera-based company in central Sicily, amounts to about 600/650 tons per year of the Rojo Brillante variety, explained Rocco Patrì, president of Eco Farm.
"This year's crop is quite good, despite the fact that high winds in some areas have caused part of the fruit to fall from trees. The size is still slightly below the Spanish standard, but we have nothing to shy away from a comparison in terms of the taste and consistency of our fruit, which is still top-notch. The proof of this is that the persimmons have an excellent brix value of about 15 degrees."
Rocco Patrì in a 2017 photo
"Of course, it's not all rosy. The problem regarding sizes is related to the excessive heat and drought of the summer of 2021. Moreover, cultivation techniques still need to be improved. But we remain firmly committed to this crop, to the extent that we have invested resources in improving the technology, which is necessary for the post-harvest phase. Every stage of the process is carried out directly in our plant."
"For a persimmon that is right in terms of size, we get an average price of about €0.60 per kg, while there is no market for sizes below the minimum standard. In these cases, the crop takes a different route and ends up in local channels. In November, there is traditionally a drop in consumption, which will hopefully pick up again at the end of the month, when the Christmas spirit sets in. This is the beginning of the citrus season and first the regular varieties will be marketed, followed by the blood oranges."
Eco Farm Srl is a reference point for Italian and foreign retail, with cultivation extending over more than 1,000 hectares, divided between grapes, peaches, nectarines, apricots, persimmons, apples, oranges and other crops.
For more information: 
Rocco Patrì
O.P. Eco Farm s.r.l.
Sede Legale: Viale della Regione, 232
93100 Caltanissetta
Stabilimenti: C.da Judeca
93011 Butera (CL)
+39 0934 921558
info@ecofarmitalia.com
www.ecofarmitalia.com