French, German and Italian customers had already tasted the first grapes last year. This season the Belgian, Spanish, Swiss and English markets will also be added. We are talking about the seedless Italia grape from the agricultural company Agri Lo.Di, based in Rutigliano, in the province of Bari (Apulia).
The company has specialised in growing table grapes for three generations and its product, thanks to its annual contribution to the 'Puglia & Natura' Producers' Organisation, of which it is a member, is able to reach some of the main Italian and foreign retailers.
Seedless Italia grapes from last season (Photo provided by Oronzo Diomede)
Despite the sharp increase in demand for seedless grapes worldwide, company owner Lorenzo Diomede continues to devote more than half of his production to seeded grapes. "Our company has made a name for itself in the French, German and Italian markets, thanks to the consistent high quality of the seeded Italia variety, and although it is a niche product, the demand for this high quality product will never cease."
Italia grapes with seeds from last season (Photo provided by Oronzo Diomede)
According to Diomede, we must not forget the many organoleptic characteristics that seeded grapes offer. "If everywhere in Germany, seedless grapes are very popular, in France only the Paris-Rungis area really appreciates them. On French markets, in fact, seeded grapes are still the most popular. As far as Italy is concerned, our country is starting to appreciate seedless grapes more and more."
Last season's seedless grapes (Photo provided by Oronzo Diomede)
"We are, however, trying to respond as best we can to customer demand for seedless varieties with a taste and shelf life comparable to seeded grapes. So last season we tried our hand at producing the first bunches of seedless Italia grapes, volumes that should increase this year," says Oronzo Diomede, sales manager of Op Puglia & Natura. "This was a welcome innovation that created a stir in the markets where PO's historic customers tasted the first grapes."
"It's amazing how the muscat aftertaste of the real Italia grape doesn't find those usual little seed hindrances on the palate," was the comment from the first customers in the Berlin and Marseille markets.
Last season's seedless grapes (Photo provided by Oronzo Diomede)
That's why PO Puglia & Natura is once again aiming to supply its seedless Italia grape pallets to long-standing customers this year, while also broadening its horizons to include the Belgian, Spanish, Swiss and English markets. "Our customers are aware that the price justifies above all our strong point: the consistently uniform colour. Consistency in quality and presentation in innovative packaging create barriers to entry for competitors, especially the Spanish," concludes Oronzo.
Agri Lo.Di is also involved in the production of the SNFL patented seedless varieties such as the white Kelly, Great Green, Melanie, and Melody and Carlita as black and red seedless varieties.
Seedless red grapes from last season (Photo provided by Oronzo Diomede)
For more information:
Oronzo Diomede - sales manager
+39 340 220 3352 (UK-France-Italy markets)
+39 393 871 7508 (Germany)
OP Puglia & Natura Soc. Coop. Agr.
Piazza delle regioni, 4
70018 Rutigliano (BA) - Italy
+39 080 4770977
www.facebook.com/pugliaenatura
Azienda Agricola Lo.Di.
Strada provinciale 240 km. 14 z. i.
70018 Rutigliano (BA) - Italy
+39 080 4767326
info@agrilodi.com
www.agrilodi.com