"The year started very well with the early varieties and then with the Brasiliano and Washington Navel varieties. There were slight problems with rain in January and February as well as those caused by thrips but, apart from this, quality was excellent and prices for medium-big grades hovered around €0.35 on plant."
The chairman also talks about an improvement of trade thanks to new agreements stipulated with retailers as well as organic retailers in Germany.
This year, our produce was available in a wide range of cartons - from small 3 kg ones to 24 kg crates.
"As regards competition, Morocco is starting to be a problem, as it floods the market with cheap Washington oranges from March onwards. The same happens at the beginning of the season with Spanish oranges. The only way to defend ourselves is to organise better and employ a brand policy. That is why we rely on checks and traceability."
The Consortium gathers the territories and the production of 14 municipalities in the Ribera area - 6,000 ha producing 120,000 tons per year. "But it is not an organised structure, that is why we want the Riberella mark to become a PO that can increase the profits of growers."
Various initiatives took place this year in a number of schools, restaurants and town centres to promote this variety, also thanks to the funds from the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and the Sicilian Agriculture and Food Department.
The next event will be the "Ribera città delle Arance" gran fondo on 27th April.
Contacts
Consorzio di tutela Arancia di Ribera DOP Riberella
Via Quasimodo
92016 Ribera (AG)
Tel.: (+39) 0925 561522
Email: info@riberella.it
Web: www.aranciadiriberadop.it