"Azienda Agricola Balduzzi has produced melons for a long time, in 2003 we also started cultivating spinach. It is packed and sold both as fresh product and quick frozen product as well as washed, packed in bags and ready for the use directly at the company. Melons and watermelons are the main products during summer time."
"The current campaign is better than last year, also thanks to the hot weather. Prices of melons are about 0.90 Euro (last year they were 0.60/0.70 Euro) while prices of watermelons are much higher than last year, they are about 0.40/0.50 Euro (last year they were 0.10/0.15 Euro). Prices are so different because it is really hot."
According to Balduzzi, cold weather (until the first fortnight of May) slowed down plant growth. However, at the moment vegetation flourishing, at least in the area of production.
Ploughing.
"On the first days of June melons came from Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Spain. However, now the melons on the market are exclusively Italian. First watermelons came from Sicilian and Spanish greenhouses and some of them were from Tunisia. At the moment they are from Greece and Latina (Lazio)," Balduzzi continues, "my company will start watermelon campaign in the next few days."
"Our main market is Italian large-scale distributors." Azienda Agricola Balduzzi produces about 3,000 tons of melons and 4,000 tons of watermelons. The melon production period is 20th June-20th September while watermelon production is from 1st July to 15th September.
Warehouse.
Melons are processed according to standard procedures: they are selected, washed, graded and then packed in reusable boxes or other solutions according to the customers' needs. NIR (Near-Infrared) technology is used to check the Brix grade (sugar levels) of melons without open them. Our packing house has controlled atmosphere and the working lines are rational and efficient.
Slices of watermelons.
Watermelons are aimed to large distribution as well. They are packed in plastic or carton boxes. "We also cut them in slices and label them with their price for final consumers."
Contacts:
Cesare Balduzzi
Azienda Agricola Balduzzi
Via Mezzo Nuovo, 15
15050 Isola Sant'Antonio (AL)
Phone: (+39) 0131 857303
Fax: (+39) 0131 857814
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.agribalduzzi.com