Coop. agricola Arrabito is located in Sicily and specialises in the production and packaging of vegetables and tomatoes in particular.
The cooperative was set up in July 2011 with the objective of sharing the experience developed by the members, local growers that harvest the produce cultivated on 25 hectares every day and deliver it to the processing facility. Among the cooperative's main clients there are Italian supermarkets as well as French, Swiss, German and British importers.
Currently, the following are being produced - cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, black aubergines, white and streaked courgettes, fennel and cabbage.
"Cherry tomatoes are demanded mainly by the foreign markets. Our cherry tomatoes are very much appreciated in England, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland and Germany, where they are sold in 3 kg packets."
The cooperative also supplies Italian retailers, though order where down from last year during the first part of the season. Things are expected to improve from Christmas onwards.
For what concerns prices, those of aubergines increased a lot in the past few days, while tomatoes remain stable due to the abundant cheap supplies from Spain, Morocco and the Netherlands.
"The cabbage season has just started for us and, as there is no more local produce in Northern Italy, prices are expected to rise until at least March 2016. The price of fennel is rather stable, though it is not enough to cover production costs."
All tomatoes hold the GlobalGAP certification.
Contacts:
Arrabito Soc. Coop. Agricola
Paolo Ficili - Sales Manager
Registered Office
C.da Fabiano, snc
97018 Scicli (RG)- Italy
Tel./Fax: (+39) 0932 938335
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.arrabito.it
Author: Rossella Gigli
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it