"Our celery is in full production and soon the Chinese cabbage will also come into full production. At the moment, these are our top crops and the requests are quite high", said Hayat Bensmak, foreign sales manager of the growers' organization Agrologica in Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG), Sicily.
Hayat Bensmak in a greenhouse with celery
"Our green celery is sold whole or in bunches. In the first case it is packed in 8 bunches per crate of 40x60x15 cm, or it is sold in bulk with leaves in crates of 8 kg. Celery is grown organically 12 months a year. Our main markets for this crop are Germany and Denmark and Northern Europe. The average production price until January was €0.70 per kilo and our annual production is about 150 tons."
Celery
"The ancient Greeks attributed an aphrodisiac value to celery, while in the Middle Ages it was used as a panacea for all ailments and in particular as an antidepressant. Celery is a herbaceous species of the umbellifer family that is native to the Mediterranean region. It prefers temperate climates and is harvested almost year round, provided it is grown in a protected environment. Celery is a vegetable with a very low calorie content and a strong diuretic effect. At only 20 kcal per 100 grams, it is 90% water, which is why nutritionists recommend its consumption in a low-calorie diet. And celery helps lower cholesterol, is anti-inflammatory and prevents high blood pressure."
A cabbage that has little odours when cooked While celery does not need any presentation, it is not the case with Chinese cabbage.
Chinese cabbage
"When referring to Chinese cabbage, it almost seems like an exotic product. But once you observe it closely, you can see that it is a vegetable that is very similar to our cabbages and that has many uses. Chinese cabbage has been known in Europe for more than three centuries, while it has been ever present in Asia. The main advantage of Chinese cabbage compared to its peers is that it has a sweet taste and an unobtrusive aroma when cooked. Our annual production is about 520 tons."
Chinese cabbage
Chinese cabbage from Agrologica generally weighs between 800 and 1200 grams and is sold individually in wooden or cardboard boxes of 40x60x15, but is also shipped in bulk, wrapped in paper or in any other material or format requested by the customers.
Chinese cabbage
"The harvesting period goes from the end of January to April. The markets for our organic Chinese cabbage are European, but mainly concentrated in Switzerland and Germany. From a nutritional point of view, this crop is naturally rich in water, fibre and minerals and has excellent concentrations of vitamin C and carotenoids. Chinese cabbage is eaten cooked, as a side dish or as an ingredient in various dishes. The average price is about €1.00 per kilo," concluded Bensmak.
For more information: 
Claudio Parrino
Agrologica OP S.A.R.L
C/da Coffa – Zona Ind/le, SNC
Chiaramonte Gulfi(RG) – 97012
+39 0932 922473
info@opagrologica.it
https://www.opagrologica.it