It's switching time for Italian aubergines - soon mainland production will be replaced by that from the islands, which should have a good quality and come at average prices.
At the moment, most of the produce comes from the Metaponto area in Calabria and Campania. "Now, though, aubergines from the peninsula are almost finished. The first pallets are arriving from Sicily," explains Luigi Battisti from Loffredo Stella srl.
The produce is mainly cultivated in greenhouses and polytunnels and quality is good.
"In order to be competitive, aubergines must have a green cap and be round with a nice skin - these are the most popular ones. Oblong and coloured aubergines are not so popular. Over the years, we have noticed how customers are more careful about the quality and appearance of the product."
"Prices have recovered after the usual summer drop and luckily they are not fluctuating like courgette ones. High-quality produce is sold in single-layer crates at around €1/kg. Second choice produce is sold at around €0.50/0.80/kg." Prices are in line with last year.
Italy is though not the only aubergine producer - in summer there is produce from Holland and now is the time for Spanish aubergines. "Lately some high-quality aubergines from Murcia and Almeria have arrived in Bologna. They are more oblong than ours and are packaged in 5 kg 30x40 crates. Round aubergines from Barcelona are also arriving. Prices are around €1.10/kg net of transportation costs, which is a bit too much."
Contacts:
Loffredo – Stella srl
Via Paolo Canali, 1
c/o Caab – Centro Agro Alimentare di Bologna (BO)
Tel.: (+39) 051/2861681
Fax: (+39) 051/2861705
Email: loffredo-stella@caabmercati.it