Rocco Zuccarella, president of Zuccarella Società Cooperativa Agricola from Scanzano Jonico (Matera) reports that there are still less than 20 days to go until the end of the 2022/23 strawberry campaign.
Sugar level test
"Nonetheless, the current situation is good as demand from operators is lively and prices seem to hold well. Quotations and interest have always usually waned during this period. Strawberries from Basilicata become secondary already in early May due to the temperature trend in our region, as well as because strawberries from Veorna and Emilia Romagna usually become available. This year, however, we are shipping over 65 pallets to markets and big retail chains in central and northern Italy at double the prices of last year."
"We deal with 60 hectares in total between our crops and those of our partners. Yet availability is low due to the abnormal weather and a general slowdown in ripening of the past few weeks. There is a lot of waste in the fields, but there are lots of fruits still growing on the plants. We are therefore expecting the final part of the season to be rather interesting, so much so that various clients already have programs for the next 10 days. 70% of our volumes is shipped to big retail chains."
Quality manager Sonia De Mare (in the photo above) added that "it's been a positive year from a commercial point of view, less so when it comes to quantities and quality. The changing weather with temperature fluctuations and abundant rain has in fact led to a quick development of mold. At the moment, however, we are still selling good-quality strawberries. They are not the classic ones of March-April, but they do boast a sugar level of 10°Brix, a good texture and a shelf-life of 4-5 days. After all, there must be a reason why markets continue to prefer strawberries from Basilicata."
For further information:
Zuccarella Società Cooperativa Agricola
Via Parisi - Scanzano Jonico (Mt)
+39 0835 954209
info@zuccarella.com
www.zuccarella.com