The Verdello is a green lemon that is not very juicy. Though it is cultivated in the summer months, it is still misunderstood by many Italian consumers. Nevertheless, the Verdello remains a valuable resource for producers like the Italian cooperative Pasam Agrumi, whose year-round production represents continuity and organic quality. The summer lemon ranges in color from light to dark green and is a spheroid fruit that comes from the third and final flowering of the Syracuse Femminello. It has very smooth skin and juice with a lower yield than the other two blooms, though never less than 25%. Its acidity is fairly low, at least 5.5%.
© P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi Soc Coop
"The Verdello is the least abundant bloom, but it allows us to work year-round," Magliocco explains. "This is an Italian product, untreated and grown only organically. Unfortunately, it's much more popular abroad than in Italy," says Silvia Magliocco, the Italian sales manager of the Sicilian company. The company is one of the largest in the Syracuse area for cultivating and marketing the Syracuse IGP lemon, and it's now led by the third family generation.
© P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi Soc Coop
Silvia Magliocco
An early season and some climatic challenges
The 2025 Verdello campaign began earlier than expected due to heavy rains that prevented the fruit from remaining on the plant. Nevertheless, volumes remained consistent with the previous campaign, suggesting effective crop management.
"We started in June, and we will work all summer to ensure continuity in the market," Magliocco says. "Although Verdello lemons have less juice than winter lemons, they are a fresh, healthy product harvested just a few days before delivery. Imported lemons, on the other hand, have traveled for a month."
© P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi Soc Coop
Verdello lemons face competition from countries such as Argentina, South Africa, and Spain. These countries flood the European summer market with acidic, juicy lemons that have been processed and are not as fresh. Another deep-rooted difficulty is the perception of Italian consumers: "Many people think a lemon must be yellow. When they see Verdello lemons, they either mistake them for limes or think they are unripe," Magliocco explains. "In Germany, on the other hand, it is promoted as a summer lemon and valued correctly."
© P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi Soc Coop
Exported to Europe and approved as organic
Europe is the main destination for Pasam's Verdello. It finds a particular niche in large-scale retail and general markets in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where the product is effectively advertised. Seventy percent of sales are driven by major chains, partly due to the popularity of private labels and eco-friendly packaging, such as compostable cellulose nets, which are particularly popular in Northern Europe. The cooperative distributes lemons under the brand names Pasam, Bellafruit, Exzellens, BioFruit, and LemonSir.
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The company is certified by Bio Suisse, GlobalG.A.P., and Demeter, confirming its commitment to a traceable organic supply chain. It recently obtained the GlobalG.A.P. Chain of Custody extension, essential for strengthening its position in the most demanding markets.
New opportunities in the cosmetic sector
In addition to the food industry, Verdello is finding interesting outlets in cosmetics thanks to the growing demand for natural and organic ingredients. Pasam Agrumi collaborates with several Sicilian companies operating between Messina and Palermo that extract essential oils from organic lemons for the national and international cosmetic industry.
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"The quality of the raw material, along with certifications like Demeter and Bio Suisse, makes Verdello especially well-suited for this type of processing, which also improves the quality of fruit that's not suitable for fresh consumption. This segment, which is constantly expanding, represents a strategic parallel supply chain. It can increase the economic sustainability of the sector and bring new attention to a lesser-known lemon," says Magliocco.
© P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi Soc Coop
Future prospects and strategies
Despite the challenges, Pasam Agrumi remains optimistic about the future. In October, the company will begin collaborating with two major chains in northern Italy, suggesting a potential shift in the domestic market. "Verdello will remain a niche product," Magliocco concludes, "but it has its place, especially among those who seek quality and freshness."
For more information:
Silvia Magliocco
P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi Soc Coop
Via Elorina 131/A
96100 Syracuse - Italy
+39 0931 1965420
[email protected]
www.pasamagrumi.it
