The Plain of Sybaris experienced heavy rains which, while lasting over 30 hours, did not cause any damage. Regarding citrus fruits, the biggest risk right now is represented by water spot.
"This year the harvesting campaign resulted in a 40% decrease and even 50% in some cases, but the sales of our organic citrus fruits are progressing well. At the moment, we are offering Navel clementines and oranges: there is a good demand, with satisfying results in both quality and prices, which are medium-high. We are not under the same pressure we faced last year; we have a higher demand than the offer and as soon as the product is harvested, it is immediately sold", said Vincenzo Malagrinò of Fruttone Bio.
"We're running daily business schedules with 80% of our clients, and every day it's a challenging task to meet everyone's requests. We've been able to do it so far. Looking at the situation as it is, the risk is that supplies will only last until Christmas with clementines. It's a campaign that will end very soon, this year. After the holidays, there will be very limited quantities," continued Vincenzo.
"However, the positive impact of the low performance can be seen on the markets: as there is no surplus in supplies, prices are better managed. Those who are selling at bargain prices, especially in such a campaign, go against all commercial strategies". According to the manager, it is only at the expense of companies "like ours, which have high costs. Think only of the costs for the required certifications, as an example".
Speaking of competition, Vincenzo revealed that this year there is little or none. "In Europe, Spain is known to be the leader, but this year there is no pressure. French customers are responding well to our product, and so are Germans and Austrians. The prices of Spanish citrus fruits are adjusting to ours, because they, too, are suffering from severe yield shortfalls.”
"Markets change from one day to another, anyway. So it's hard to imagine or discuss on what's going on, we are experiencing it day by day. We are focusing on our quality standards: this is what is now offering us an extra edge.”
Over summer 2019, Fruttone Bio invested in a new office site owned by the company. "We had the necessity to satisfy different needs and this has also allowed us to invest in new machinery for the packaging of our citrus fruits," explained Vincenzo.
"The packaging sector is undergoing changes: large-scale distribution focuses on branded products, while other companies ask for white-label products. Corporate brands are almost disappearing. Regarding our company, a number of our references will remain under the Fruttone Bio brand."
Contact and Information:
Vincenzo Malagrinò
Fruttone Bio Group
87064 Corigliano Calabro (CS)
Tel.: +39 (0)983 877 23
Fax: +39 (0)983 877 23
Email: info@fruttonebio.it
Web: www.fruttonebio.com