© OPuntia soc. coop. agr.
A significant volume of good-sized fruit is expected for the early prickly pear harvest, set to begin during the first week of August. Normal volumes are expected for the late product, known as the "bastardone," with marketing planned to begin in September. The "bastardone" is a fruit obtained by late elimination (scozzolatura) of the first flower bud produced by the mother plant. This is followed by fruit selection and thinning. Overall, production volumes have increased compared to last year, thanks to new areas that were cultivated in previous years and are now in full production. Francesco Grasso, president of the San Cono Prickly Pear Producers' Organization OPuntia, says, "We are looking forward to an abundant crop of well-sized fruit for the first prickly pear harvest, which we will start picking in the first week of August."
OPuntia markets the production of its 32 member farms, spanning 320 hectares of land located between 400 and 600 meters above sea level. Its total production potential is around 5,000 tons, including Agostani (non-scozzolatura) and Bastardoni (first-flower scozzolatura) fruits. The increased investment in cultivated areas in San Cono has a direct relation to growing consumer interest in this fruit. This highlights the sector's solidity and expanding demand.
© Concetta Di Lunardo | FreshPlaza.com
Together with Mazzarino, Piazza Armerina, and San Michele di Ganzaria, San Cono constitutes the main European hub for the specialized cultivation of prickly pears. The area dedicated over 1,700 hectares to this crop. OPuntia, the first producers' organization to specialize in Opuntia Ficus Indica cultivation, operates in this region.
© OPuntia soc. coop. agr.
© OPuntia soc. coop. agr.
The prickly pear market is experiencing extraordinary growth, according to agronomist Antonio Lo Tauro (pictured on the right). He adds that the Sicilian prickly pear "has a solid and recognized reputation both nationally and internationally."
Regarding foreign competition, the Sicilian prickly pear sector currently has no immediate concerns. Spain, for example, has limited its production, though Portugal could become a future competitor. Mexico is the world's largest exporter of prickly pears, but it also allocates large quantities of the fruit for domestic consumption. In fact, Mexico considers the entire edible plant, including the cladodes (cactus paddles), to be for domestic consumption. Mediterranean countries such as Tunisia and Morocco do not have significant production. South Africa, on the other hand, has European-operated plants with production areas that release products starting in February, following a different commercial calendar from Sicily.
© OPuntia soc. coop. agr.
In terms of research and innovation, Antonio Lo Tauro concludes, "OP Opuntia has started a fruitful collaboration with Di3A at the University of Catania, Sicily. Together, they are working on research projects aimed at improving the quality of prickly pear fruit, cladodes, and by-products.
Specifically, OP Opuntia has developed a functional drink made with prickly pear, lemon, and carrot juice and has started producing baked goods, such as sandwiches, snacks, and crackers, with flours and/or extracts from various parts of the fruit."
For more information:
OPuntia Organizzazione Produttori
Francesco Grassenio
Via Aldo Moro, 18
95040 San Cono (CT) - Italy
+39 333 114 4483
[email protected]
