The 2012 harvest of early figs is to start in Torre Canne (Apulia-Italy). Early figs - also called 'fioroni' - come from the buds of the previous autumn and become ripe at the end of spring/begin of summer.FreshPlaza spoke with Francesco Palasciano, owner of the Apulian company 'Cuore Verde'. "The early fig is very interesting for our buyer. We try to extend the marketing of the fruit. At the moment we are in talks with further national and international buyers" Palasciano said.
"It is difficult to speak about he price trend of early fig as it is a very delicate fruit; shelf life has great influences on the price" Palasciano continued. "Last year we recorded very low prices because internally fruit is not healthy tending to rot after a few hours. As result 90% of product was sold in Italy with a suplus on our markets."
"As for figs (coming from the buds in spring and becoming ripe at the end of summer in the same year) everything went well, indeed very well. Fruit were healthy and on foreign markets skyrocketing prices were recorded for almost the whole harvest campaign."
Regarding climate influences on the current season, the trader said: "For early figs, the climate seems good until now: rain and not too much cold winter climate here in Southern Italy result in plants plenty of fruit, with important size."
"Spain and Turkey sell figs too, but processing methods and varieties are different from ours. As result there is no strong competition."
"Our client work together with big retail and national and international markets. Cuore Verde is specialized in deliveries to national markets such as Fondi, Rome, Rimini, Cesena, Bologna, Vicenza, Firenze, Parma, Verona, Bergamo, Brescia, Treviso, Trieste, Turin, Milan, Mestre, and foreign ones such as France, Germany, Belgium, England and Switzerland" Palasciano said.
He underlined: "Early fig campaign goes on for 20 days, from 3rd-6th to 20th June, 2012. Fig campaign goes on from 17th July to 30th August, 2012. In full production we reach 40,000 kg per day. The 2011 season concluded with 600,000 kg of early figs and 700,000 kg of figs."
"Packaging varies according to the needs and transport is carried on exclusively with refrigerated trucks" Palasciano concluded.
For more information:Francesco Palasciano
Cuore Verde Srl
via Costa, N.C.
72010 Pezze di Greco - Fasano (BR)
Phone/fax: +39 (0)80 4898668
Mobile: +39 368 569078
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cuoreverde.in
Skype: cuoreverdesrl