“We are back from Cibus with renewed energy! We want to restart but, at the same time, we have to deal with the many uncertainties that affect the chain. Planning in the medium-long period is harder due to the difficulties in finding raw materials. As for the increase in energy costs, we are upgrading our photovoltaic system," explains Vittorio D'Angelo, sales manager at Lucifora Conserve, a company now managed by the third generation of entrepreneurs and owned by Giovanni and Simone Lucifora.
In the photo: Vittorio D'Angelo and Giovanni Lucifora at Cibus Parma 2022
The Lucifora brand produces vegetables in oil in its 5000 sq m facility among the hills of the Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG) area. The company specializes in the processing and preservation of vegetables, which are grown on its land and processed in its laboratory.
There are approximately 40 recipes prepared according to Sicilian tradition, including freshly-harvested cherry and plum tomato sauces, ready sauces, artichoke and eggplant caponata, olive spread and asparagus, zucchini, capers, bell peppers and mushrooms in olive oil. All products hold the organic and FDA certifications.
“We were pioneers in the production of cherry and plum sauces, available in 330 ml bottles. They are our most popular products together with Sicilian caponata, as they are the result of a well-assorted combination of aromas and flavors," explains Vittorio D'Angelo.
Sicilian caponata is prepared mainly with eggplants, with the addition of capers, olives, onions, tomato sauce, green olive rounds, basil, salt, white wine vinegar and sugar. Vegetables are processed separately and combined during packaging. It is a regional dish much appreciated by the foreign market. The product requires a laborious process, but the result conveys the explosion of flavors of the Mediterranean culinary tradition.
The company owns 6 hectares of open fields dedicated to the cultivation of cherry and plum tomatoes, then used to make sauces appreciated for their sweetness, versatility and organoleptic properties. Staggered harvesting operations will begin in a couple of weeks' time and will continue until August. This way, it is possible to obtain natural sauces not altered by high-temperature thermal processes.
"The result is a product that, although simple and with just one ingredient, boasts sweetness, persistent flavor and a unique taste."
“The energy crisis and, in particular, the increase in the price of gas, penalizes both the margins and the planning of supplies, considering that the quotations of processed products are only valid for a month at the moment, due to the constant variations. The same goes for packaging although, in this case, a small-medium company like ours as an advantage: while the big players have more bargaining strength when it comes to packaging procurement, it is easier for us to adapt to different formats and processing lines in order to adjust to what the market offers."
Future projects include the diversification of production with a vast range of vegetables and aromatic herbs and the launch of online sales via an App. At the moment, the products are sold in small and specialized shops in Italy and abroad (North America, America, Europe, Asia).
For further information
Lucifora Conserve
C.da Piano Mondello 17,
97012 Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG) - Italy
(+39) 0932 926039
(+39) 370 374 9018
info@lucifora.it
www.lucifora.it