2014 was a difficult year for aubergines, characterised by overproduction and abnormal weather. Nuccia Alboni from Ortonatura and marketing manager for "La Signora Melanzana" discussed this.
"Initially, good temperatures and the fact that the produce was similar to ours, was good for Spanish aubergines. But the real problem was the drop in consumption."
"In addition, high temperatures in November and the sirocco in December damaged the flowers, so much so that we are expecting less produce to be available this January and thus higher prices, so sales will drop even more."
"Initially, good temperatures and the fact that the produce was similar to ours, was good for Spanish aubergines. But the real problem was the drop in consumption."
"In addition, high temperatures in November and the sirocco in December damaged the flowers, so much so that we are expecting less produce to be available this January and thus higher prices, so sales will drop even more."
"It must be said though, that while there was less demand from wholesalers, supermarkets continued issuing regular orders with quite profitable prices."
| Average price/kg October/December 2013 (€) | Average price/kg October /December 2014 (€) | |
| Round aubergines | 1.37 | 0.86 |
| Purple aubergines | 1.40 | 1.26 |
| Oblong aubergines | 1.66 | 1.55 |
| Streaked aubergines | 1.62 | 1.40 |
"No orders have arrived from abroad since the 20th of December with the exception of Holland. At the moment, the problem is not competition from Spain though, but rather the capability of companies to sell their produce. Signora Melanzana for example is still among the most sold on the main markets."
"We support a good quality/price ratio, we inform clients about our company and our technology (integrated control, soil-less crops, etc), we have updated our brand and packaging and extended our warehouse (in the photo below)."
The company produces on average 4,000 tons of aubergines on the 20 hectares of greenhouses, half of which are soil-less.
"Signore Melanzane" are sold by retailers and the main wholesalers in Italy and Europe. Recently, the company has also established a relationship with the German retailer chain and strengthened its sales in France, Netherlands and Arab Emirates.
Contacts:
Ortonatura
Nuccia Alboni
Ct.da Piano di Savia
Vittoria (RG)
Tel.: (+39) 0932 871650
Fax: (+39) 0932 995667
Email: ortonatura@alice.it
Web: www.ortonatura.eu