“An excellent campaign that has seen citrus fruit quotations double for producers. However, traders are penalized as the high production prices do not correspond to what is paid on the Italian and foreign markets," explains Giuseppe Auteri, sales manager at the Galletto OP cooperative in Palagonia (Catania).
With a remarkable production of citrus fruit and table grapes grown on 2,000 hectares in total, this PO represents over 50 producers and is one of the leading organizations in Sicily.
The main productions are Tarocco blood oranges and early grapes grown in greenhouses. The cooperative was set up in 2008 by Giuseppe Auteri himself, who boasts over 20 years of experience in the citrus fruit segment and who decided to establish a cooperative that could meet the increasing demand for high-quality fruit together with 9 other producers. With a growing turnover, the PO now gives work to around 600 people.
“We are living through a complex period of time, characterized by a crisis that reduces the purchasing powers of families, reason why markets cannot absorb the high quotations. In a year such as this one, I believe only well-structured businesses manage to balance their budgets and honor the contracts with the big retail chains."
"As for production, crop management prices have increased, and I'm not just talking about fertilizers and skilled labor (which is increasingly lacking). Energy and logistic costs are higher and expenses are difficult to write off. At the end of February, for example, the truck driver strike caused by increases in the price of gas, tolls and raw materials created difficulties for the entire segment. Our competitors, mainly Spain, have benefited from this."
Tarocco blood oranges are historically the most popular product and Il Galletto OP is among the leading organizations to have invested in new groves. The wide varietal choice covers an extended calendar, with tangerine and citrus fruit volumes available between November and June (Tarocco Rosso, Tarocco Gallo, Tarocco Lempso, Tarocco Meli tardivo, Moro, Sanguinello, Nova and Navel). Over the years, the cooperative has created a premium brand - Cuore Rosso - which is now very popular abroad and mostly in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany.
"We are currently commercializing Tarocco Gallo, which is an elite product with a high added value. The campaign of pigmented varieties such as Tarocco Ippolito, Tarocco Lempso and Tarocco rosso has been good. We managed to retain important clients on niche markets both in Italy and abroad, willing to recognize the value of a high-quality product."
For further information:
OP Il Galletto
Via Palermo, snc
95046 - Palagonia (CT)
+39 095 7953826
+39 335 774 4523
[email protected]
www.ilgallettoop.it
