The supply of strawberries is limited, whereas the demand is very high. In these first harvesting and sales phase of the 2021/22 campaign, what is surprising is also the enormous demand from Europe countries, in addition to the Italian markets.
"Compared to the same period of the past season, we recorded an increase of at least 30% on the exports of strawberries in the different European countries, especially in Germany, The Netherlands, Great Britain and France. I'm sure that if we had 100 pallets of goods per day, we would sell them all without any difficulty. The problem is that we are at the beginning and the weather has not helped us so far," said Giuseppe Zuccarella, president of the agricultural cooperative OP Zuccarella of Scanzano Jonico (Basilicata, Italy).
Fortuna variety strawberries
"It's a great period for Basilicata's strawberries, as foreign competition is almost absent. Prices are high and the product is of excellent quality. The variety currently being harvested is Fortuna, for which this year we invested 5 hectares, divided into different lots and transplanting periods We are currently harvesting 3 times a week, as there are still limited grams per plant. We are receiving orders from both supermarket chains and Italian and foreign markets, with supplies in cardboard pans containing ten 500g baskets, and soon also single-layer lots of 300g."
"Thanks to 3 types of plants and different varieties, we are able to commercialize strawberries for about 10 months a year, but the climatic trend of the past weeks has delayed the start of the current season by more than 10 days. In fact, if on one hand the temperatures above the seasonal averages have allowed a faster development of the plant and of the leaf apparatus, on the other hand the scarce presence of sunlight has slowed down the coloration and has not favored an ideal differentiation of the buds. The productive situation is gradually improving, therefore also the availability will soon tend to increase. We are trying to satisfy all the requests, but the product seems not to be enough. Starting from the weeks before Christmas, when also other strawberry groves will reach maturity, we will undoubtedly be able to guarantee more consistent supplies to all our customers."
For more information: 
OP Zuccarella Soc. Coop. Agr.
Via Parisi, 16 - Scanzano Jonico (MT)
+39 0835 418009
info@opzuccarella.it
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