"There will be a significant selection between companies due to the crisis we are going through. Selling off the products is not the solution, we need to be careful and calculate costs precisely, down to the tiniest detail: production, electricity, packaging and logistics, to name a few. My partner Filippo Frongia and I do not want to take part in the downward trend war regarding prices: if our productions have value, they need to be paid exactly for that value," reports Andrea Manca, sales manager and partner of Agro Mediterranea Distribuzione, a company specializing in supplies to big retail chains. The company is part of Agro Mediterranea Group.
Il Nuragico melon (Photo by: Agro Mediterranea Group)
"The season of Il Nuragico, our Piel de Sapo melon, ended on a very good note. Now we are starting with the commercialization of cherry, Piccadilly, plum and Moro Sardo tomatoes. The latter are currently available only in two distribution chains."
Moro Sardo tomatoes (Photo by Agro Mediterranea Group)
"As for artichokes, we are selling a few pallets to the general market at high prices. We do not have the quantities to supply the big retail chain yet, but we will by the end of the month. The problem with many businesses that are selling off their productions is that they are completely detached from the wholesale markets that establish the daily prices. Not being aware of what is going on is not good for commercialization."
Artichokes (Photo by Agro Mediterranea Group)
Innovation yet with an eye to the costs
The company is looking to introduce two new types of nickel-free tomatoes, zero-residue artichokes and artichoke stalks. "Two hectares will be dedicated to each tomato variety to test them, while we have great expectations for the zero-residue artichokes that were tested last year. Most of the production will hold the zero residue certification." Excellent results were achieved with the artichoke stalks supplied to a chain.
Artichoke stalks (Photo by Agro Mediterranea Group)
"We are convinced it is worth offering quality, even during a crisis. Consumers will purchase less, but they will be pleased with the purchase. We know full well, in fact, that clients repurchase only if they are pleased."
