There is a general lag abroad with regard to the main campaigns, not only for summer fruits, but also for new potatoes and onions.
"Consumption is in line for new potatoes. The availability of product is lower, and this determines a lively market. This is definitely a good thing for us producers after some not quite satisfactory seasons. It has to be said that production costs are definitely higher at all stages of cultivation, all the way to distribution," says Cosimo Leggiero, sales manager for the Miss Freschezza brand.
"Our potato production was on its normal course, like in every season, and we had already started digging as early as 10-15 May 2023. However, shortly after that, we had to slow down the harvest due to the incessant rains that prevailed almost the entire month of May, which did not allow us to harvest on a daily and constant basis. Fortunately, for the past ten days or so, rainfall has stopped in our areas and we have been able to go back to harvesting. And in style, I would say!"
"Since the recovery," continues Leggiero, " the situation has been of the best. The abundant rains have increased the size of the tubers, with good quality, with no phytopathologies, but with improved yields and of excellent aspect. The demand, fortunately, is high and consistent. The Sicilian product was already giving very good signs in this regard, and the delay, due to the rains in Apulia, has favored the discharge of the last Sicilian crops. Our Apulian early potatoes, therefore, got the green light, without much competition, not even from imported product. The latter, in fact, is qualitatively inferior, as well as having higher transportation costs."
"As for volumes, they will probably be the same as last season, with the difference that supplies could end much earlier, given the high demand. As far as we are concerned, 90 percent of our potatoes are being sold on the Italian market, including the large-scale retail trade, which seems to appreciate more and more the quality of the product as well as our practical and functional cardboard packaging," points out Leggiero.
About the asparagus campaign
"Our asparagus campaign is practically over. It has been an all in all satisfactory season, with volumes slightly down due to below-average temperatures and rainfall, recorded in April and May. This has favored prices, which have been livelier, but has negatively impacted production in terms of volumes," explains Leggiero.
"The more contained production has favored a quiet trend in sales, without extremes, with quite steady demand, especially from the foreign market, Scandinavian countries first and foremost."
Off to a new start with Barattì-apulian sensation
The sales manager for the Miss Freschezza brand also says that the Barattì-apulian sensation campaign is starting again, with a bit of a delay, again due to the weather conditions in May, which did not favor the fruit set.
"We have bet on this product, also by entering the 'Spettacoli alla frutta' (Fruit Shows) project together with 22 other fruit and vegetable brands. This is a big bet for us, since we are talking about a local Apulian product, which, however, for some years now, it has been around not only in Italy, but also Europe. The goal is to increase its popularity," concluded Leggiero.
Photos provided by Cosimo Leggiero
For more information:
Cosimo Leggiero - Sales Manager
+39 349 2466936
Ortofrutticola Egnathia s.r.l.
C.da Losciale, 111
70043 Monopoli (BA)
+39 080 801140
www.missfreschezza.it