Almost 9,000 tons of product for 200 hectares of cultivation are the statistics presented by the Dolce Passione Consortium on 13 July 2023 at a press conference in Sermide, a village in the Italian province of Mantua.
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A moment from the field visit
"Dolce Passione is the result of a collaboration between breeders Lamboseeds (Sant'Agata Bolognese) and Alma Seges (Eboli, Salerno), Ortofrutta Castello (Stanghella, Padua) and Lorenzini Naturamica (Sermide, Mantua) from the production and commercial sectors," said President Roberto Castello.
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"The variety Giotto branded under Dolce Passione reflects the main characteristics of the product. It is the only all-Italian watermelon that brings new life to a variety that has remained behind for thirty years," says Sandro Colombi of Lamboseeds.
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Director Luciano Trentini provided some data. "In 2023, between 9,000 and 10,000 tons are expected to be harvested on about 200 hectares. The cultivation is diversified in different areas of Italy, in order to lengthen the marketing calendar'.
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Processing stage at Lorenzini Naturamica's packing station
Cristiano Lorenzini and Stefano Rossi, respectively co-owner and director of Lorenzini Naturamica, played host to circa 20 journalists from the sector and beyond: "We focus on the premium segment. Our watermelons or melons can only carry the brand name if they achieve above-average quality. We laser-engrave the brand and a traceability code on the skin of each fruit."
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Carmine Alfano, commercial director of Alma Seges, stressed that they were immediately fascinated by this project and that they are the ideal partners for early-ripening crops in southern Italy.
The Dolce Passione watermelons have were developed with advanced breeding techniques. The Giotto variety is one of the most important innovations in that field over the past few years. The watermelon has a very fine, black, glossy and uniform skin. The flesh is bright red and crisp, the flavour is sweet with a Brix value higher than 12-13 and the seedless fruit is rich in fibre.
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From left to right: Sandro Colombi, Luciano Trentini, Roberto Castello, Carmine Alfano and Cristiano Lorenzini
The high temperatures of this period will add an even sweeter flavor to the watermelon. Weighing 4 to 6 kilograms, it is placed in the medium-sized watermelon segment. It is therefore very easy to handle by consumers.
In its first year of commercial testing in 2022, it involved an area of 60 hectares, with a total marketed production of 3,200 tonnes.
President Roberto Castello
The growers that are part of the consortium supply most of the crop to retailers. But because online sales have been on the rise since the covid pandemic, this sales channel is also being looked at the e-commerce sector.
For more information:
Consorzio Dolce Passione
+39 0425 958750
info@consorziodolcepassione.com