2024 has been complex for the Pasquariello Giovanni farm in Carapelle (FG), as it was marked by climatic difficulties and market fluctuations. However, despite the adversities, the Apulian business was able to adapt and find new opportunities, demonstrating its resilience and ability to innovate.
"2024 began with significant challenges for the sector," explained Giovanni Pasquariello, taking stock of the past year and highlighting the difficulties encountered. "The early spring was not favorable from a commercial point of view, with low prices for fennel, broccoli, and cauliflower. The drought further complicated the situation during the summer, making transplants difficult. There was no rain in our area, so we had no water damage, but no relief either. We had to transplant in steps, adapting to the weather. In addition, costs went up, with electricity being particularly expensive since we use artesian wells. The difficulties during transplanting emerged towards the end of 2024, as yields dropped."
Giovanni Pasquariello
The 2024 asparagus season, however, turned out to be a positive one thanks precisely to the scarcity of produce, which meant that prices remained high. "The asparagus campaign was good because the product was more limited and there were no peaks in terms of volume." The company produces both organic and traditional produce but, once again, the drought reduced crop yields.
From a commercial point of view, 2024 ended positively. "We closed the year well, from a commercial point of view," Pasquariello explained, noting that prices in Europe were affected by the limited availability of products. "Europe is now our home. If one sneezes in Spain, they hear it all the way to Poland," the producer pointed out, emphasizing how European markets are interconnected. "Because of the smaller quantities available, we have concentrated on our historic customers. We did not take on new ones, and even those already loyal to us received less."
The autumn/winter season started quite normally, with the first fennel harvests at the beginning of October. "The market went well until last week, although there were problems at the beginning due to the drought. Temperatures have been cold since December 2024 - not always below zero but still wintry, allowing us to harvest the produce gradually. Now that the sun is warming up, there is a bit more supply and demand is not very high. The rising temperatures do not favor the consumption of these vegetables. In general, the supply of our vegetables is almost back to normal levels and we are confident that, with the expected drop in temperatures next week, there will be no problems like last year."
Looking to the future, the company has made significant investments to improve efficiency and reduce costs. "We have expanded the warehouse, renovated the processing lines, and installed photovoltaic panels on the roof," said Pasquariello, adding that these changes were made for better farm management.
Photos provided by Giovanni Pasquariello
For more information:
Giovanni Pasquariello
+39 328 9126249
Azienda Agricola Pasquariello Giovanni
C.da trionfo 1
71041 Carapelle (FG)
www.agricolapasquariello.it
