"We are proud to strengthen our decades-long partnership with Sumitomo Corporation Foods," says Salvatore Imbesi, the quality manager at Agrumi-Gel, a Sicilian company. "We are their exclusive European supplier of citrus juice for the Japanese market," Imbesi adds that their Japanese partners are currently conducting an on-site evaluation of the initial yuzu production, as well as assessing the quality and ripeness of pomegranates and blond oranges.
© AGRUMI-GEL SrlSalvatore Imbesi
Betting on Yuzu
In about a month, Agrumi-Gel will begin harvesting yuzu, a fruit also known as the Japanese lemon. This fragrant citrus fruit, originally from East Asia, is widespread in Japan. It is prized for its distinctive flavor, which combines notes of lemon, tangerine, and grapefruit. The fruit's juice and aromatic zest are used in cooking to flavor sauces, season fish and meat dishes, and prepare drinks and desserts. Yuzu is also known for its rich vitamin C content.
© AGRUMI-GEL Srl
© AGRUMI-GEL SrlThe company first planted 5,000 trees in Sicily. According to Salvatore Imbesi, this citrus fruit is not usually eaten fresh because of its high acidity. The trees are cultivated on the slopes of Mount Etna, an area that has traditionally been suited to citrus fruit production. The company adheres to strict European environmental safety standards.
Derivatives market under pressure
The ongoing citrus campaign is being greatly impacted by the ongoing drought. Imbesi explains that the lack of water has resulted in smaller-sized fruit. Consequently, orchards that do not benefit from irrigation have sent large quantities of their produce to the processing industry.
Despite high production costs, the derivatives market is struggling to grow. The reference price for Brazilian orange juice concentrate has steadily declined. It is currently below the threshold of 3,800–4,000 dollars per ton, nearly half of the 6,000 dollars recorded the previous year.
© AGRUMI-GEL Srl
Business strategies and demand for lemons
Despite the difficulties, Agrumi-Gel has developed a solid plan for blond oranges. The company has decided to maintain last year's prices. This will promote stability and facilitate commercial planning with customers, despite the ongoing pressures affecting the citrus derivatives sector.
Demand for lemons is strong. This demand is partly due to the expected reduction in production in key countries such as Spain and Argentina. Internationally, Egypt is aligning its prices with Brazil's.
Salvatore Imbesi concludes, "Maintaining last year's prices for blonde oranges is a strategic decision to promote stability in planning with our customers."
For more information:
Agrumi-Gel S.r.l.
C.da Girotta
98051 - Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (ME) - Italy
(+39) 090 9707329
(+39) 340 127 0530
[email protected]
www.agrumigel.it
