"The love for agriculture runs in our family, so much so that we have reached the 4th generation of growers. As is only natural, there have been many novelties over the years, and the innovation process has led us to growing passion fruit for a good 11 years," reports Antonino Moscato, a young agronomist from Licata (AG), who believes in the product but, above all, in a new way of doing business.
Antonio Moscato
"We named our company and our brand Sicilian Passion as a reference to our passion for agriculture, and exploiting the assonance with passion fruit. After the first few years of testing, our crops now cover an area of 15 hectares, which hold the BIO certification and which we cultivate respecting the environment and participating in programs for the application of regenerative cultivation techniques."
"Our commitment to the environment also shows in the packaging, so that all those along the supply chain can be informed of it at every step, right up to the end consumers. Our packaging solutions feature FSC-certified cardboard boxes, paper cells, biodegradable labels, cellulose nets and cardboard and PLA trays. They include 2 kg loose box, 30x40 1 kg cells, 30x50 2 kg cells, 200 g trays and, finally, nets of various weights.
The quality of a product can be conveyed with words but, when it is formally guaranteed, it obviously takes on a different meaning: the company in fact also holds the GlobalGAP, GRASP and FSA (global module on environmental sustainability) certifications.
The right climate is very important for growing passion fruit
"The microclimate in our production area, located between the mountains and the sea, determines temperatures that never fall below 6 °C, and the characteristics of the soil do the rest. Together, these factors make it possible to generate passion fruit with a unique flavor that is much appreciated by exotic fruit experts, as well as a firm texture and a high Brix level of around 18/19°. The annual production is divided into two harvest seasons - from July to September and from December to April. This allows us to be on the market during the Christmas season, when demand for exotic fruit increases."
The average annual production is of around 300 tonnes, which the company sells through foreign retail chains in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France. Moscato, however, continues to focus on the Italian market, while new channels are about to open up towards Scandinavian countries to better develop the marketing of a line of jams and juices made strictly with BIO, home-grown fruit.
"Over the last two years, we have also been developing a line of frozen passion fruit puree without added sugar and additives. This would allow us to recover the produce that cannot be sold fresh, mainly for aesthetic reasons. The puree in sold in 5, 10 and 20 kg buckets."
For more information: 
Sicilian Passion
Via D. Scarlatti, n 5
92027 Licata (AG)
+39 3293114674
[email protected]
www.sicilian-passion.com