In Sicily the harvest of Selenella early potatoes started about ten days ago, and sales are about to start. "In these days we have been filling the tank, as they say in jargon - says the chairman Massimo Cristiani - and now we are ready to put the early potatoes on the market. The Sicilian product is the first of all the European continent. Our production area is found mostly in the province of Syracuse".
Fields of early potatoes in Sicily (Siracusa).
Harvesting began with a 10-day delay due to weather conditions, but the quality was not affected. The product is properly "peeled" and ready for packaging.
"After Sicily, we will go to harvest in Puglia, where the yields may be falling due to the recent frosts. Then we will start in Lazio and Emilia Romagna. In recent years we have increased the fields of the Selenella brand, which currently are around 1200 hectares.
In large-scale distribution the most requested package is the 1.5 kg bag. "In the past we have also worked with the 2 kg format, which in this period of high demand would have certainly sold well. However, recently the preference of the large retailers has been for the 1.5 kg bag and therefore we try to meet customer requests as much as possible".
Massimo Cristiani.
Potato prices are good and the early potatoes will sell for around 60 cents/kg for the producer. Selenella does not just sell potatoes, but onions and carrots as well (see FreshPlaza of 13 February 2020). "Onions are finished - the chairman says - and now we are waiting for the next harvest. Carrots are a product that we have 12 months a year, and at the moment they are being harvested in Lazio. These two products are doing well too, because the consumer appreciates their quality: the name is not enough to make a product good, the substance is also needed".
Production by the sea.
A recent research by Nielsen has placed the Selenella brand among the 15 best sellers in Italy. Analyzing the period from February 17 to April 5, 2020, Selenella records a trend of +65% growth of sales in value, compared to the same period of 2019, thus positioning itself in 13th place.
Contacts:
Consorzio Patata Italiana di QualitÃ
Via Tosarelli 155
40050 Villanova di Castenaso (BO)
Tel.: (+39) 051 5872419
Fax: (+39) 051 5872352
Web: www.selenella.it