The Dolce Passione watermelon campaign started according to the plans of the Consortium. 320 hectares were planted in 10 Italian regions between Sicily and Lombardy. The following businesses are part of the consortium: Alma Seges, Cico-Mazzoni, Lorenzini Naturamica, Ortofrutta Castello. They all work in cooperation with Lamboseeds, the seed company that created the Giotto cultivar, i.e. the only one that can currently boast the "Dolce Passione" brand.
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"Transplants have started as planned in greenhouses in Sicily, Puglia and Campania, and two weeks ago they started in Lombardy as well. They will be followed by open-field transplants in small polytunnels," reads a company note.
Sandro Colombi
Watermelons are mainly grafted on Cassius, a wild watermelon hybrid, and on cucurbit RS 841, which are particularly suitable for this variety. Both rootstocks are by Lamboseeds. Director Sandro Colombi confirms that this watermelon was recently born in Italy after being selected by Italian geneticists, it boasts Italian genetics and it is bred and grown on the national territory.
Giotto watermelons boast a thin black rind with a deep red flesh that may feature a few white seeds, and have a high Brix level. It is very productive with a high resistance to being transported, making it suitable for long distance travel as well.
Roberto Castello
Roberto Castello, president of Consorzio Dolce Passione, explained that "the organoleptic qualities of this watermelon make it suitable to be sold abroad as well, especially on the German and French market. The arrival of Cico-Mazzoni, and the productive and commercial potential of Alma Seges, Lorenzini and Ortofrutta Castello - considering the estimated production of around 18-20,000 tons for 2024 - will enable us consider the foreign market as well."
Nonetheless, the main market will still be the domestic one this year, with the produce sent to the big retail chin and the general markets. Once harvested and sorted, the produce is placed in cardboard boxes and bins with the "Consorzio Dolce Passione" logo. Every single fruit that passes the sorting tests is placed on the market with a sticker bearing the "Consorzio Dolce Passione" logo.
The members of the consortium: left to right Roberto Castello, Carmine Alfano, Matteo Mazzoni, Stefano Rossi, Luciano Trentini
"The Sicilian greenhouse crops in Pachino and Ispica have reached a more advanced stage at the moment. If the weather continues to be favorable, we think the fruits will become available between May 7 and 14, so we will be able to have guests savor them at Macfrut," says Director Luciano Trentini.
"After the press conference in Berlin, "Dolce Passione" will attend Macfrut in Rimini in hall B4. All partners will be present to meet buyers from the big retail chain and the markets and talk to interested visitors. It will be a pleasure to welcome all those interested in getting to know our product."
For further information
Consorzio Dolce Passione
+39 0425 958750
[email protected]