Sicilian PO Cooperativa Agricoltori Ionici C.A.I. has been operating in the organic sector since 2001. It mainly produces citrus fruit but, in 2016, it decided to open a facility in Tuscany dedicated to organic products from the Maremma area.
Left to right: Antonio Lo Conte, Valerio Scarcella, Salvatore Scarcella and Saro Scarcella
"The Maremma area boasts quite the product range, which we have been commercializing for years. Our facility in Grosseto is currently processing local products such as apricots, melons, blueberries, zucchini with and without flowers, bunch tomatoes, date and canestrino tomatoes, eggplants and spring onions. Of course everything is organic," reported Salvatore Scarcella, president of OP CAI.
Compared to last year when frost damaged the fruit, especially apricots and plums, quantities are considerable this year. However consumption is not satisfactory.
"We believe the lower consumption could be due to inflation. Of course we continue doing our job and focusing on quality, since Maremma boasts an excellent climate for the cultivation of organic fruits and vegetables. At the moment, our Grosseto facility is also processing white seedless grapes, lemons from Sicily and carrots from Abruzzo."
Left to right: collaborator Oana Atudorei, president Salvatore Scarcella and the manager of the Grosseto facility Massimo Lozzi
"We are pleased with the quantities and quality of the Tuscan products we are currently processing and will continue to believe in produce from Maremma thanks to the work of our collaborators: Liciano Marioni, technical manager, and Massimo Lozzi, manager of the Grosseto facility who coordinates our Tuscan team. As we are looking to increase productions and sales volumes, in 2022 we aim at extending the processing facility in Messina by introducing new citrus fruit lines, with 2,000 sq m in addition to the current 1,200 sq m."
For further information:
Salvatore Scarcella
Società Agricola Cooperativa
Agricoltori Ionici CAI A R.L.
Via Cesare Battisti 315
98023 Furci Siculo (Me)
+39 348 810 2056
caiarl@caiarl.com
www.caiarl.com