"The summer fruit campaign was characterized by good weather and an excessive - albeit good-quality - production which saturated the market keeping prices down: -40% for apricots, -30% for plums and -50% for peaches. This situation, accompanied with the high management costs, led to the discontent of producers. We are asking for fairer prices and fewer descending price auctions by retailers," explains Vincenzo Marfella, president of OP Campania Felix.
Op Campania Felix was established in 2007 and now gathers 26 producers in the Caserta area. Summer fruit and PGI annurca apples are its core business with 70% of the produce destined to the retail channel and 30% to domestic markets.
It is presided by Vincenzo Marfella, who is looking out to safeguard producer rights with all other administrators.
"Our mission? Aggregate supply to promote it thus safeguarding the territory and guaranteeing a future to our producers," explains marketing manager Tullio Russo.
"We are ready to start with the annurca apple campaign. We are expecting a drop in production of at least 50% compared to last year, but are hopeful when it comes to prices. Unfortunately, the summer fruit campaign was disappointing: thinning costs were 10 eurocents on average and production costs were 37 eurocents, meaning settlement prices were below production prices," reports producer Marco Catuogno.
"The State must intervene in such years and stricter checks are needed on imports. We believe the only way producers can claim their rights is by acting together."
"In the future, we are looking to further diversify our supply and promote PGI annurca apples. We are also keen on collaborating with other local associations to strategically plan our production."
Contacts:
OP Campania Felix
Via Appia, 83 (Km. 186)
81050 – Francolise (CE) - Italy
Tel: (+39)0823 933600
Cell: (+39) 3342685704 Dr Tullio Russo - marketing manager
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.opcf.it
