"Sicily is ready to tackle one of the most anticipated campaigns of the season, which is that of the retato melon," said Carmelo Stagnitto, production manager of Eco Farm in Riesi. The PO, based in the Sicilian hinterland, boasts production facilities in a good part of the island, and therefore also near the sea of Licata (AG), where the netted melon expresses excellent organoleptic properties.
Carmelo Stagnitto
"Our melon varieties," said Stagnitto, "generate fruits that are particularly appreciated by the market for their flavor, color, texture and nutritional properties. The preparation of the soils in winter also contributes to these results in the field. It is the hands of our producers that nourish the soil and provide transplants, starting in December for harvests in April, May and June. In our case, melon constitutes the fruit and vegetable product that usually accounts for the most, in sales, in terms of value."
Eco Farm, over the past five years, has significantly increased its export share to Northern European countries and also its supply volumes to Italian supermarket chains, thanks to the growth of the producers' organization.
"On the production front, the campaign does not present any critical issues for the moment," revealed the production manager, "The fruit set is as expected and there are no signs of phytosanitary problems. We expect a high production quality, also because the climate is right and already from the first analyses we have found an optimal Brix degree. The first releases will arrive any day now and, of course, it is too early to talk about market quotations, while last year we had a range between 0.80 and 1.30 euros/kg at production. What is certain is that the first supplies will be destined for our important and historical commercial references in the international large-scale retail trade.
We will see the trend in retail consumption patterns later in the campaign, as volumes increase. Over the past year, retail purchases have been held back at times by overlapping other fruit and vegetable offerings, but also because of reduced household purchasing power. Inflation is a major variable, especially for the increasingly struggling middle class. This is a generalized phenomenon that affects not only Italy, but economies around the world."
“Sicily is the first region in Europe to arrive with netted melons on the fruit and vegetable counters," said Stagnitto. "This is one more reason to pay attention to the origin of the product, both in the general markets and on the fruit and vegetable counters. The comparison this season is with the imported product from the African continent, with Senegal at the forefront, which meets production methods and standards different from those in Italy. We need the supply chain to take note of this added value, not only in terms of organoleptic properties and food safety, but also so we can offset the tax burden on Italian companies, helping them generate income and generate jobs."
For more information:
O.P. Eco Farm s.r.l.
Sede Legale: Viale della Regione, 232
93100 Caltanissetta
Stabilimenti: C.da Judeca 
93011 Butera (CL)
+39 0934 921558
[email protected]
www.ecofarmitalia.com