"We cultivate the Renata, President, Geode (round) and Sibilla varieties." Geode courgettes, of which Bellato is the main producer, have an unusual taste, slightly sweeter than dark green courgettes. "The fact that it is round makes it ideal for many recipes."
"Winter was quite humid and rainy. The lack of sunlight delayed greenhouse production. Rising temperatures though cause demand to decrease, although it is quite normal, and also linked to competition from abroad, especially from Spain and North Africa."
"Winter was quite humid and rainy. The lack of sunlight delayed greenhouse production. Rising temperatures though cause demand to decrease, although it is quite normal, and also linked to competition from abroad, especially from Spain and North Africa."
Stafano highlights how competition does not concern quality. "Our strong point is precisely this, whereas we can't be competitive on prices, as other countries have lower management costs. In addition to lower labour costs, they don't have to comply with all of the regulations that we do. Our company costs have increased considerably at a tax, labour, raw material level, etc. Though I want to point out that we are second to none in terms of quality: quality is our selling point!"
As regards prices, they are rather variable. "They change from week to week. Now they are dropping towards €0.50/kg. In peak periods we manage to reach €1,40-1.50/kg."
In terms of volume, the Sotea Cooperative handles 3,000 tons of courgettes each year. "In the past couple of years we have started to focus on the national market once again, in fact, 90% of our produce meets the needs of the internal market. We have direct and indirect contacts with mass retailing. We also used to work abroad, with Germany, Romania and Poland in particular."
In terms of volume, the Sotea Cooperative handles 3,000 tons of courgettes each year. "In the past couple of years we have started to focus on the national market once again, in fact, 90% of our produce meets the needs of the internal market. We have direct and indirect contacts with mass retailing. We also used to work abroad, with Germany, Romania and Poland in particular."
Produce is packed mainly loose in crates. "We select it and pack it. Our clients (mass retailing too) usually provide us with transportation."
"There is definitely a decrease in consumption: we have noticed it and we understand it because it is not limited to courgettes, but it concerns all products. The main problem though is still represented by foreign competition. For this reason, we want to work out a growing programme so that we can supply our clients for longer. Our objective is to make people get to know the quality of our product and to have a continuous supply, which is what mass retailing mainly looks for."
"There is definitely a decrease in consumption: we have noticed it and we understand it because it is not limited to courgettes, but it concerns all products. The main problem though is still represented by foreign competition. For this reason, we want to work out a growing programme so that we can supply our clients for longer. Our objective is to make people get to know the quality of our product and to have a continuous supply, which is what mass retailing mainly looks for."
Sotea therefore aims at expanding its calendar both in terms of production and sales.
"Another objective is the creation of associations. We are trying to make producers aware so that they can create cooperatives and consortia in order to guarantee better quality and higher quantity of produce. Our quantities are rather high and local markets would never sell all of our produce. That's why we need to involve mass retailing."
In the future, we might deal with foreign mass retailing. For Sotea, this would mean working with a few more products. "And therefore, diversifying our production by choosing what is most demanded and what is more advantageous from a commercial point of view."
Contacts:
Stefano Bellato
Coop. Op SOTEA
Via della Molella, 41
04017 San Felice Circeo (LT)
Tel.: (+39) 0773 597558
Fax: (+39) 0773 597467
Email: [email protected]
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The Sotea Cooperative PO was founded in 1999 from a group of young farmers in the Pontine plain and produces and sells fresh vegetables. Production is carried out among the San Felice Circeo, Sabaudia and Terracina municipalities and the fact that these towns are all close to the sea guarantees produce a month early than usual.
The cooperative mainly handles courgettes, watermelons, radishes, salad and tomatoes, and collects the produce from 30 partners who cultivate on 80 hectares of protected environment. The processing and storing warehouse is of 700 square metres. There are 3 refrigerated chambers for the short-term storing of produce before being shipped to its reference market in 24-48 hours max.
