In turn, Ciruli is seeing favourable prices. “Prices are very very promotable right now,” he says. “Though last year was quite a bit of a higher market. Florida’s had much better growing weather this year, much less cold weather, less rain so more competition. The next few weeks we’ll see very reasonably priced markets and high volume.”
Ciruli is hoping that the traditional eggplant’s promotability will go a long way in boosting the image of the vegetable. “Eggplant is an item that the older generation eats and the younger generation hasn’t taken to it,” he says. “We’re still trying to get out there with the traditional variety if customers want them but it’s difficult because you don’t have a consumption base growing.”
That said, Ciruli is offering ethnic varieties of eggplant, an area where there’s a pick up in interest. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in the Hindus or Indian eggplant (sometimes known as “baby eggplants” and the Italian eggplant (a longer, thinner purple eggplant),” Ciruli adds. “That’s due to ethnic growth and I think we’ll see that continue.”
Christopher Ciruli
Ciruli Brothers
Tel: +1 520 281 9696
chris@cirulibrothers.com
www.cirulibrothers.com