This is the statement of Antonio Nicastro, CEO of the Nicastro commercial farm located on Capo Rizzuto Isola (Calabria). It was established in 1990 and covers around 50 hectares producing 2,000 tonnes of fennel per year. Other products are corn and sweetcorn.
The fennel campaign at the company started on 10th September 2013 and it will last more or less until 10th May 2014. "The produce did not grow much because of the high temperatures and lack of rainfall. We had to work until late at night in order to transplant fennel on time."
Nicastro confirms what Angelo Giommo said, i.e. that prices of fennel started to drop on 20th September and that the situation is not looking good at the moment. "The real campaign will start from 25th December onwards. The average yield is currently €3,000-4,000 per hectare."
The main competitors are the Campobasso province, Lesina and the Metapontino area (in the province of Crotone).
According to the producer, the economic yield per hectare should increase during harvesting, because the area should be the only one left. Finally, Nicastro concludes by saying that fennel from Capo Rizzuto are appreciated also at European level.
Contacts:
Antonio Nicastro
Azienda Agricola Nicastro
Isola di Capo Rizzuto (KR)
Cell.: (+39) 338 4737608
