"We are at the beginning of the peach, nectarine, and apricot season. We source these fruits from Apulia. Meanwhile, we acquire our plums from Basilicata. We will continue harvesting until September, and peaches and apricots will be in season until the end of August. Although volumes are not abundant, with yields down by an average of 10-20% due to frost in March and April, the current campaign promises fruit that tastes and smells better than last year's," says Antonio Forcina, who owns Forcina Srl with his son Primo. The company is located in Fondi, in the province of Latina, in the Italian region of Lazio.
© Forcina Antonio
There is a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, with an annual turnover of over 20,000 tons and growing. Fruit is supplied by growers with a long-standing history, who mainly cultivate in Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily (for pigmented orange varieties). The Forcina family company has evolved to include the processing and marketing of various products, such as apricots, Navel and Tarocco oranges, Romanesco broccoli, cauliflower, cherries, clementines, strawberries, lemons, persimmons, Annurca apples, miyagawa mandarin oranges, nectarines, peaches, apricots, and plums.
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The company has state-of-the-art processing lines, a 7,000-square-meter warehouse (3,000 of which are covered), and 50 specialized employees. The company also has its own vehicles for transporting products.
"Until fifteen years ago, we were producers," says Antonio Forcina. "Our family has been farming for generations. In the 1950s, we were among the first companies to export oranges to Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium. The world has changed, and technology has played a significant role in that change. One of the most notable changes is how orders for goods are placed. Now, orders are placed quickly via email. Despite these changes, we prioritize working closely with producers we have partnered with for 10 to 15 years. In short, consumers always prefer quality, and we spare no expense to ensure it."
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"As I said before, the fruit and vegetable industry has changed radically in recent years," emphasizes Antonio Forcina. "Although general markets are recovering slightly, they are still in a state of crisis compared to previous years because large-scale distribution, in which we have a significant presence, has absorbed nearly the entire market." Small local shops are holding on, but it's difficult to run them because managing fruit correctly requires a lot of experience. Our success is the result of our careful attention to every step of the harvesting process and our selection of fruit at the perfect ripeness level. The result is a tasty product that meets customer demand."
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"From the center to the south of Italy, we continuously seek the finest fruits, regardless of cost, to offer premium products certified according to food safety regulations. As suppliers of high-quality goods, we understand that to provide the best products, we must collaborate with experts and compensate producers fairly. Otherwise, we cannot ensure quality."
© Forcina Antonio
In terms of price, the general shortage of cherries has affected the cost and availability of the product. This year, the selling price reached 10-11 €/kg, compared to 5 €/kg last year. Currently, prices have stabilized at 5-6 €/kg, despite the limited supply. 
© Forcina Antonio
Forcina operates throughout Italy in large-scale retail, wholesale, and direct sales channels. Recently, it has entered the school canteen segment and the Horeca channel. The reference countries for exports are: Belgium, Poland, France, Germany, and Great Britain. Many goods are also sent to Eastern Europe, particularly to Slovenia, Croatia, and Poland.
For more information:
Forcina Srl
Via della Torre, 91
Fondi (LT) - Italy
+39 0771 513800
+39 335 7730696
[email protected]
www.antonioforcina.it
