For over twenty years, Antonio and Angelo Mungiello, owners of Mungiello Vincenzo & C. Srl, based in the province of Naples, have been processing PGI clementines from the Gulf of Taranto, i.e., those grown in the municipalities of Castellaneta, Ginosa, Massafra, Palagianello, Palagiano, Statte, and Taranto.
Theirs is an entrepreneurial story of courage, skill, and perseverance: a special case even within the Consorzio di Tutela Clementine IGP del Golfo di Taranto (Consortium for the Protection of PGI Clementines of the Gulf of Taranto), since the Campania-based company is one of the 7 registered and official packers, which, however, stands out by not being based in Puglia.
© Mungiello Vincenzo & C
"Our second campaign as authorised packers is about to start. We will start by mid-November with the first volumes and will continue until the end of January, thanks to the over 20 hectares of PGI-certified local producers. We were among the first to join the new governance of the consortium, now led by President Daniela Barreca, with the aim of making a concrete contribution to the promotion of the PGI mark. This in-depth knowledge of the product translates into a constant commitment to representing Apulian farmers, so much so that we go to Taranto several times a week to supervise field operations and the quality status of our partners' citrus fruits. Among the main companies is the farm Cito Giovanni, which is located in Massafra."
 © Mungiello Vincenzo & C |  © Mungiello Vincenzo & C |
Despite its operational seniority and certification, the company faces scepticism from big retail buyers, at least in the initial phase. "In Italy, there is an erroneous tendency to favour packers located directly in the places of origin of the goods, in this case in Puglia, creating an obstacle that we face with determination and transparency. The primary objective is to overcome the market's reservations, reaffirming the validity of our operational model: we are making it clear that there is nothing wrong with packaging a product originating from a certain area in another one. It is a process that also happens daily for other fruit and vegetable products without any problems. Our commitment is to provide customers with a greater guarantee and certificate of quality, through membership of the Consortium."
© Mungiello Vincenzo & C
This proactive strategy, which consists of managing and marketing Apulian produce from the Campania site, allows the company to serve both big retail chains and wholesale markets. "We supply some chains in Puglia, Campania, Basilicata, Tuscany, and Umbria. We are also present in some important Italian markets, particularly in Tuscany, with 6 different stands. We package clementines in 1.5 kg flow-packs (in which smaller-sized fruit is placed) and 1 kg packages with larger sizes (grades I and II). The packaging used clearly shows the origin of the product."
The new campaign presents challenges due to a drop in production, and therefore, sales prices should adjust accordingly. "A 30% drop has been estimated in the trees due to the late spring frost and subsequent summer drought. Quotations are already starting from a price increase of at least 15% to compensate for the losses. The main objective, however, is to finish the season as late as possible, unlike in the previous year, when sales ended one month early due to the unsuitable weather conditions, which had compromised the last citrus fruits on the trees."
© Mungiello Vincenzo & CFor more information:
Mungiello Vincenzo & C. Srl
Via Romani, 103
80048 - Sant'Anastasia (Naples)
+39 335 264 113
[email protected]
www.mungiellovincenzo.srl
Consorzio di Tutela IGP Clementine del Golfo di Taranto
Viale Chiatona n.131
74019 Palagiano (Taranto) - Italy
+39 3939151555
[email protected]
igpclementinetaranto.it
