"This year, the production of cherries has been lower than usual in Verona, just like in the rest of Italy, as few fruits set and there was widespread dropping. At least grades are better for it," reports Roberto Bolla, owner of "Bolla Ferdinando srl", one of the leading cherry players in northern Italy founded by his father over 40 years ago.
"The cherry season in Verona started slowly around April 20th with the first quantities of the produce in greenhouses. Unfortunately, the rain throughout May ruined good part of the produce, especially early varieties such as Bigarreau, Burlat and Early Bigi. Production prices are rather high, the quantities of products collected up until June 10th were rather modest, but now quality and quantities are in line with a normal season."
We are currently harvesting the produce from the hills at 500 meters asl, all varieties with an excellent taste such as Kordia, Regina, the 7 Sweet series, Areko. Over the past few years, the leading varieties were practically similar to those that can be found in Puglia, i.e. Bigarreau, Giorgia, Ferrovia or local varieties such as Mora di Verona. However, over the past ten years, producers have been focusing on high-quality cultivars less susceptible to cracking, with interesting grades such as 28-30 or higher and, most of all, with a very high Brix level."
"Next season, we will start harvesting the Final11, Final12 and Final13 varieties, which ripen around 15 days later than Kordia. Specifically, our chain is made up of over 500 families of producers. We start in greenhouses and end with the Lessinia plateau 900 m asl. This enables us to always have fresh produce and prolong supply."
This year, the company started working with 80 producers from Trento who will start harvesting operations on July 5-8 and continue until the end of the month. The climate is changing, just think that other stone fruits such as peaches, plums and prunes are very early and harvesting will start next week.
"All the produce is commercialized via the Italian big retail chain, mass retail and discount channels. They are placed in trays or cups as requested by the client (300, 500, 1000 g) or in 1 to 2 kg punnets, or are sold loose. Transport is carried out exclusively with our vehicles to guarantee the cold chain."
For more information:
Bolla Ferdinando s.r.l.
Via Perazzolo 13/b
37032 Monteforte d'Alpone (VR) - Italy
+39 045 7612025
[email protected]
www.bollaferdinando.it