"The impact of Covid-19 on the international market caused heavy losses in terms of turnover when it comes to exports. However, this also means less produce is coming in from our competitors (e.g. artichokes from Egypt and Tunisia). Especially for some products such as Sicilian purple artichokes, this has meant higher prices than in previous years," explained Salvatore La Porta, general director of L'Ortofrutticola F.
L'Ortofrutticola F is located near Niscemi in Sicily, known as the "capital of artichokes" producing around 16 million heads of varieties such as Violetto, Romanesco, C3, Tema and Apollo.The produce is grown in around 500 hectares of open field crops, 50% of which are destined precisely to artichokes.
The rest of the crops are destined to: tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, zucchini, grapes, mini-watermelons and canary-yellow melons.
"We cannot deny that, despite the emergency, the agri-food segment is doing well with a growth of around 20-30%. Nonetheless, the measures taken by the government have had a huge impact. The fact that people cannot go to bars, restaurants or hotels has lead to a growth in big retail chain sales."
The artichoke campaign is characterized by good yields and good-quality heads. The heavy rain of last week prolonged the campaign by at least 15 days.
Prices are not too bad at the moment, hovering around €0.20/head. The produce is available in 30x50 and 30x40 cm crates containing 25 heads. 40x60 basket boxes and CPR crates are available for the big retail chain.
The company is also a leading producer of Top-Quality tomatoes available all year round. Cherry tomato prices hover around €1.50-1.60/kg, with €1.80/kg for Piccadilly tomatoes and €1.00-1.20/kg for bunch tomatoes.
L'Ortofrutticola F produces around 7,000 tons of tomatoes which, together with artichokes, represent a considerable part of the company turnover.
All types of tomatoes are available in the different formats: 10 500gr or 1kg trays in 60x40 cardboard crates; cherry tomatoes in 2 3kg layers in 30x40 cardboard crates; loose cherry tomatoes in 30x40 and 30x50 cardboard and wooden crates; loose Piccadilly tomatoes in 30x40 and 30x50 cardboard and wooden crates; 1kg and 5kg bunch tomatoes in 60x40, 30x40 and 30x50 cardboard crates.
"In such a difficult moment, we want to reassure all actors along the chain: we do have quantities available and are doing what we can to guarantee supplies. We are implementing all safety measures. Italy is a great country and I believe we will get through it thanks to our local productions."
Contacts:
L'Ortofrutticola F
Salvatore La Porta
C.da Pilacane
93015 - Niscemi (CL) - Italy
Cell : +39 320 6813800
Email: commerciale@ortofrutticolaf.it
Website: ortofrutticolaf.it