Despite the harsh off-season weather, Sicily continues to bring on its production. The company Di Pasquale of the brothers Angelo and Vincenzo, creators of the brand Donnalia, started the new season of the blond orange Navelina a few weeks ago.
Vincenzo and Angelo Di Pasquale
"The quality is not missing but every day is always a new day, considering the climatic events that we have experienced in the last period. First of all, a strong cyclonic bad weather hit the eastern part of Sicily, damaging a good part of citrus groves; at the moment, some damages have occurred due to fog and humidity. Another wave of strong bad weather happened only two days ago, which we had never seen before in terms of intensity, duration and spread".
"Nonetheless, the quality of oranges is excellent, with a good brix degree - continue the entrepreneurs - although in this first stage it is hard to see the larger calibers, which we hope will be found later in the season. At the moment, sales are encouraging. The lack of product is quite noticeable, also in light of the repeated climatic events that have taken place since last summer. If until a few days ago the drop in production seemed to be around 30%, now this balance is destined to increase. Unfortunately, the damages are there, and they are many."
"However, we are used to always select only the best product and thanks to the commercial policy carried out with our brand Donnalia, we can once again say we are satisfied with the high level of interest that retailers and wholesalers are showing for our lots of citrus. The efforts on the communication of the brand that we have supported, also at an international level, and on the consistency of quality and volumes, are bringing today satisfactory results".
"The other product that is giving us excellent results is the pomegranate, cultivated in central and eastern Sicily. The sweetness of this product, which also exceeds 19 degrees brix of sugar content, is excellent, and we offer it in 30x40 eye-catching boxes with the fruits placed on a bed of white chips. Prices vary according to the caliber from € 1.50 to € 2.00/kg at wholesale".
For more information: 
Donnalia
Di Pasquale Srl
Via Michelangelo, 7
93010 Delia (CL) - Italy
+39 0922 826009
amministrazione@dipasqualeortofrutta.com
www.donnalia.com