"We are a growing company that focuses a lot on processing, which has helped us work with both big retail chains in northern Italy and abroad. Unfortunately we have been asked to lower our prices, mainly in some markets such as the French one," reports Gianluca Manfredi, president of Apulian cooperative La Cupa.
According to the manager, "France cares about quality, but it is apparently unaware of the fact that our margins are very low. We cannot lower prices below production costs, considering that we do not compromise on raw materials."
Cooperativa agricola La Cupa is located in Scorrano (LE). It has been growing a wide range of vegetables in its one hundred hectares for over forty years. Products are entirely destined to make preserves, spreads, vegetables in oil and vinegar and dried products. The company boasts two processing lines, one for products in oil and the other to process olives. The leading product is sun-dried tomatoes, which are dried on frames that cover 18,000 sq m. Other dried vegetables that require a high level of specialization complete the range.
The company's core business is the production of dried vegetables, especially tomatoes, artichokes, eggplants and zucchini, which are then placed in oil.
“Our local sun-dried tomatoes are both organic and traditional. They are harvested, selected and cut in half to be turned into unique products in the hands of our workers. Even when summer is over, the frames still spread the aroma for miles, which remains etched in the minds and palates of those lucky enough to savor our products."
In addition to selling semi-processed products, also on behalf of third parties, we also produce traditional specialities. We introduced branded products in 2015 and the premium range was born in 2018 with I Cupidi, gourmet vegetables in oil made according to the Apulian farming tradition and which are very popular in Italy and abroad. The line includes the flavorful Cicorine Salentine, Bocconcini Sfiziosi ripieni with 10 vegetables, stuffed chili peppers and olives from Cellina di Nardò and Leccino. Then there are also olive, artichoke and tomato spreads and sauces made with red and yellow Apulian oblong tomatoes and organic extra-virgin olive oil.
"We are now working on a new facility covering 2500 sq m with new processing lines and spaces dedicated to the retail sale of La Cupa products. The sales channels of reference, at the moment, are specialized stores, restaurants, small supermarket chains and online sales. Part of the turnover comes from the supply of processed and semi-processed products for private labels both in Italy and abroad."
For further information:
La Cupa Società Cooperativa Agricola
Via Supersano, 120
73020 Scorrano (LE)
+39 0836 460630
+39 377 3710636
commerciale@cooperativalacupa.it
www.cooperativalacupa.it