"Tonda di Costigliole" apricots.
As Flavio Lovera (in the photo), sales manager for the cooperative, told FreshPlaza, "Tonda is our flagship and it represents 50% of our apricot production. The other half is made up of some classics like "409" as well as some new French late varieties."
"The objective is to bring Tonda to represent 80% of the production. We will strengthen production and initiate food-telling operations through domestic retailers and specific interventions in Europe and Switzerland in particular."
"Tonda di Costigliole" apricots are medium-small, with a firm and juicy flesh and deep yellow colour. "They are also very sweet (even if harvested early), as they reach a Brix level of 18. The market tends to prefer bigger apricots with darker colours, but one needs to eat this variety to fully appreciate it."
Above and below: apricot packaging at Albifrutta.
Lovera adds that "in 2013, the season was very good both in terms of volumes and demand. It must be said though that, 15 years ago, 2,000 tons of apricots were processed, whereas nowadays we are dealing with 300 tons. We are currently investing to double this volume though."
Plum pox affected production and so many companies decided not to plant apricots, as trees could be infected also 4-5 years after planting.
In addition to apricots, the cooperative also produces and sells peaches, plums (especially the Ramassin variety) and Golden apples. "Apples represent an alternative to kiwis, which are impossible to grow because of bacteriosis. Our partners are all starting to cultivate this type of apple, as it is ideal for our kind of climate."
10% of our turnover comes from the direct sale of a range of processed products at the company store.
Flavio Lovera also adds that "peaches are no longer profitable for us because of competition from Spain and the low prices. Especially in 2013, too much produce saturated the market and so it became very difficult to sell the produce at a profitable price."
Albifrutta has recently invested in a 6,600 ton high-tech cold storage unit and transformed two processing warehouses into modified atmosphere environments.
Albifrutta will attend Fruit Logistica at Hall 2.2 - Stand B-02 ("MADE IN PIEMONTE" area, Assortofrutta section). Flavio Lovera will represent the company.
Contacts:
Cooperativa Albifrutta
Via Piasco, 22/a
12024 Costigliole Saluzzo (CN)
Italy
Tel. +39 0175 230837
Email: [email protected]
