"To maintain the high standards of our production, we are always looking for new types of vegetables with superior organoleptic qualities," explains Vittorio Gona, president of OP Alba Bio. "In order to remain competitive on the market, we have introduced three new tomato types: the first is a mini beefsteak with an appealing color and a high flavor profile that is attracting the interest of clients from various European countries, as they appreciate its small size, shelf-life, and aroma."
Vittorio Gona visiting associate Alba Bio.
"Another product is a black plum tomato that boasts a very bright red interior when ripe as well as a high Brix level. It becomes part of mixed punnets but is also available in dedicated packets. Last but not least, there is a ribbed tomato that is also popular with our partners as it is fleshy and boasts a very pleasant flavor. Ribbed tomatoes have been rediscovered by consumers lately, as they are ideal for making "caprese" salad as well as for all dishes featuring whole tomato slices. We need to keep new trends into consideration when planning and, considering the success colored tomatoes have been having, we thought of focusing marketing research on tomatoes that are more peculiar and appetizing."
Mini beefsteak tomatoes.
"The agricultural sector is not doing well at the moment, and the disaster that is currently happening in Sicily is thwarting our efforts to remain competitive. Unfortunately, we have to deal with a loss in purchasing power and the impoverishment of Italians, as the families at risk of poverty are increasing - from 8.2 to 8.5% in a single year."
Black plum tomatoes.
"We must cover the increase in packaging, logistic costs, etc. The large availability of produce means we are registering much lower prices than in the past season, so maybe margins are increased when the produce is sold. There are also concomitant causes ranging from competition from other Mediterranean production areas and the increase in local productions (maybe due to erroneous choices made based on fleeting positive moments). Some of our colleagues need to learn to "read" the market, but we are still dealing with the incapacity of aggregating and counterbalancing the adverse phenomena that occur when negotiating between demand and supply."
Alba Bio ribbed tomatoes.
"Another issue is climate change. The drought reduces the groundwater available, and the marine water seeping in increases the salinity of irrigation water. Extreme events, which are increasingly violent, mean our climate now tends to be tropical. We are asking the Italian government to intervene in the purchase of desalination systems and with provisions to help growers purchase insurance policies that can protect the companies in case of disastrous weather events. Last but not least, the lack of labor has become chronic, and the absurd tool introduced to regulate the flow of seasonal workers to Sicily stopped between 2 and 3,000 applications, which still need to be processed and which are anyway insufficient to cover our needs."
Example of mixed tomato punnet that will now also feature black plum tomatoes.
"Our production prices are dropping, and quotations are as follows: cherry tomatoes €1.50/kg, plum tomatoes € 2.10/kg, round bunch tomatoes € 1.10/kg, bell peppers € 1.30/kg, zucchini € 1.10/kg, colored mixes € 2.60/kg.
For more information:
Vittorio Gona
O.P. Coop. Alba Bio
Cda Ferranta, SN
97010 Marina di Ragusa (RG) - Italy
Tel.: +39 0932 239003
[email protected]
www.gruppoalbabio.it