Fucino is mostly known for its production of potatoes, carrots and fennel, however it is precisely in this area that, in 2009, Antonio Di Paolo from L'Orto del Fucino started producing parsley and other fresh herbs. Italian smooth parsley represents the company's core business and is grown on 35 hectares of open fields. Di Paolo is the only parsley producer in Fucino.
Antonio Di Paolo and his family
"Parsley is available between June and November and sowing is staggered to avoid gaps. Every day we manage to ensure around 9 tons of parsley, which is harvested with a precision machine we developed ourselves. Bunches are formed directly in the fields. They are then taken to the warehouse for quality control and shipped. Our produce reaches the stores in maximum 24hours," reports Antonio Di Paolo, manager at l'Orto del Fucino in Luco dei Marsi (Aquila).
L'Orto del Fucino covers 80 hectares in total in Luco dei Marzi (Aquila). Its core business is the production, processing and commercialization of parsley, but it also grows brassicas, potatoes, carrots, and celery. All the products hold the Global Gap certification and are grown following integrated control techniques.
"The company was set up in 1930 by my grandparents. It initially specialized in the cultivation of potatoes, which continued also when my parents managed the company. I took over with my wife in 2009 and, together, we introduced parsley and other fresh herbs such as celery and basil."
The Di Paolo family
"We took a bet and we were right in doing so, as we went from the initial few hectares to the current 35. In the future, we aim at reaching 50 hectares of parsley. This product is new to our area, but it is doing very well. Celery is also interesting and we are planning on increasing quantities of that as well."
So far, Italy is the reference market for the company, with 60% of the produce sent to markets and 40% sent to the retail chain. The company also has an online shop and is open to collaborations with the H&R sector.
"We have various projects in lined up for the future, from extending the hectares dedicated to parsley cultivation to a product line with our own brand, as we currently only sell parsley in loose bunches. We would also like to introduce a new solution for celery, maybe together with parsley. Finally, we are also getting ready to tackle the foreign market and we are hoping to take our first steps in Greece during the next season."
For further information:
L'Orto del Fucino
Via Santa Maria
67056 - Luco dei Marsi (AQ) -Italy
+39 320 889 9989
info@ortodelfucino.com
www.ortodelfucino.com