© OP APAM
Consorzio Apam, a leading player in the Sicilian citrus fruit sector for generations, concluded the 2024/25 citrus season with overall positive results, confirming its leadership among organic citrus producers in Italy and abroad. The Producer Organisation (PO) boasts 257 members cultivating 1,550 hectares with certified organic and traditional methods. Leading the consortium with competence and vision is Carmelo Micale, CEO and historical point of reference of the company, who has managed to combine family tradition with a modern and sustainable business approach.
The season has been successful for Valencia blond oranges, one of the consortium's flagship products. As Carmelo Micale reports in analyzing the performance of the citrus fruit campaign, "The recent blond orange season was characterized by lively demand and high product quality despite the climatic challenges that affected some production areas in southern Italy. In particular, Valencia blond oranges recorded good results in terms of both volumes and market quotations thanks to a homogeneous size, high sugar content, and good shelf life."
© OP APAM
As far as Sicilian lemons are concerned, the trend was more fluctuating, but the final result was positive overall. Moreover, Sicily is the main Italian region for the production and export of organic products, and Sicilian lemons stand out thanks to their organoleptic properties, juicy pulp, bright yellow color, and edible peel.
© OP APAMOrganic or naturally-grown products are essential for a healthy diet as, being pesticide-free, they offer benefits for both health and the environment. Sicily is the main Italian region for the production and export of organic products. Sicilian lemons stand out thanks to their organoleptic properties, juicy pulp, bright yellow color, and edible peel, and they can be used for dishes and desserts.
"For branded organic lemons, cultivated mainly in the countryside around Syracuse and the Tyrrhenian coast, the year ended with a positive result. This was despite the difficulties encountered at the beginning of the season, especially with regard to the period between December and March. Luckily, this condition changed in the following months; in fact, we recorded very positive numbers between April and May. We therefore closed with a positive budget compared to what was expected at the beginning of the season, supported by a growing attention of the European market towards the natural, untreated, and zero residue product."
© OP APAM
However, not all lemon segments showed the same performance. Carmelo Micale explains that, although quality remains high, "the market is currently showing little enthusiasm for our Verdello lemons, which are typical of the summer season. Commercial dynamics and strong competition from other European and non-EU countries are making it difficult to place it, with a negative impact on prices and margins for producers. The consortium is monitoring this situation closely, implementing strategies to increase value and awareness in synergy with its stakeholders."
© OP APAM
Apam's success goes beyond simple marketing. Carmelo Micale emphasizes that: "The key to our success lies in the deep connection with the land, in the mutual trust with our producers and in the choice of organic farming as an agricultural model that respects human health and the environment, so we are also talking about aspects that are not merely commercial."
Apam, in fact, also plays an active role when it comes to technical assistance to producers, quality certifications, and the promotion of the Sicily brand through an authentic narration of the territory and agricultural work. An example of this commitment is the role of the APAM Consortium as a promoter of the PGI (Protected Geographical Identification) mark for Limone della Costa Tramontana. These fruits are cultivated along the Messina Tyrrhenian coast between the Gulf of Milazzo and the Fiumara in Tusa, in a stretch of land exposed to tramontana breezes, and acquire unique characteristics thanks to this microclimate.
"We ended the 2024/25 sales season not only with a positive balance but also with a strategic confirmation of the consistency of the path we have taken. This is because the markets respond positively when they notice a focus on quality, sustainability, and territorial roots as competitive levers in an increasingly attentive and aware market."
For more information:
Carmelo Micale
O.P. CONSORZIO APAM Soc. Coop. a.r.l.
P.zza Stazione Zappulla
98070 Torrenova (ME) - Italy
+39 (0)941 958036
+39 (0)941 958070
[email protected]
www.consorzioapam.it
