"Sicilian citrus fruits are greatly appreciated in Great Britain, where requests keep increasing uninterruptedly," according to Nello Alba, CEO of Oranfrizer, in a phone interview.
The Sicilian entrepreneur engages in the production and distribution of citrus fruits and juices in Italy and across the world. He not only provided insights on consumption trends, but also pointed out some critical issues in the logistics sector.
Nello Alba
"Over the past 20 days, the requests from our regular suppliers have tripled - added Alba - and the trend abroad is perfectly overlapping that of Italy. Once the contract supplies had been completed, our business partners continued to send us their requests in order to satisfy the supermarket chains. In Italy we are witnessing responsible conduct on the part of the large-scale retail trade, which is enhancing and therefore recognizing the national production, with enormous satisfaction on our part."
"In the meantime, we made the necessary arrangements to protect our employees, both in the warehouse and in the fields, in conformity with all the indications provided for by various government decrees implemented since the beginning of the Coronavirus emergency. My personal thanks goes to all our employees and external collaborators, because, with their sacrifice, they represent, today more than ever, the backbone not only of Oranfrizer, but of the whole country."
"What is absolutely wrong in this context - reported the administrator of Oranfrizer - is the total lack of support to logistics and, more precisely, to the hauliers who, given such restrictions, cannot benefit from the necessary facilities required for those who travel thousands of kilometers. Not all the Italian highway rest stops are open. There must be facilities on the motorways that guarantee at least toilets and hot meals. The Protezione Civile (National Civil Protection) should provide support for these courageous and strongly committed workers who are needed by each and every Italian citizen. The truck drivers, at the moment, are allowing the country to be supplied not only with our excellent oranges, but with all the food as well as medicines and basic essentials."
In the meanwhile, the company is also engaged in a Raccolta Fondi SOS Coronavirus Sicilia (SOS Coronavirus Sicily Fundraising) campaign that will go to the regional department of Civil Protection to support the medical staff, emergency rooms and hospitals in Sicily. Oranfrizer purchased the artwork #restiamouniti (see image below), created by the artist Domenico Pellegrino and promoted by Fondazione Sicilia.
"We felt it was our duty to support the doctors that are facing many difficulties - concluded Nello Alba. Therefore, we decided to return the artwork and we hereby launch a call to action to the other Sicilian companies to repurchase Domenico Pellegrino's artwork!".
Contact:
Oranfrizer
C.da Gagliola S.P. 28/I Km. 1,300 
95048 Scordia (CT)
Phone: (+39) 095 7937111
Fax: (+39) 095 7937192
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oranfrizer.it