"Our Moro Sardo tomato campaign is going quite well. Another large-scale retail chain has also embraced our project, recognising the added value of a product grown exclusively in Sardinia, respecting what is now a centuries-old tradition of the area. The message we are conveying comes through and is bringing excellent results. It is not just a matter of responding and satisfying requests in terms of volume, but of offering high quality produce," reports Andrea Manca, partner together with Filippo Frongia, of Agro Mediterranea Distribuzione, a company that specialises in supplying fruit and vegetable products to the large-scale retail trade, and part of Agro Mediterranea Group.
The lack of tomato volumes (plum, piccadilly or cherry tomatoes), especially in the summer period, pushed prices to very high levels. "Now we are noticing a certain settling. The market has returned to optimal quotations, which also allow us to make programmes with big retail chains. As for cherry and plum tomatoes, we have had requests from abroad at a time when the product was scarce. For the Moro Sardo, we are scheduled to supply a Swiss chain in ten days' time."
"The season of the new Noir variety, a black tomato that we have been testing for three years will also start in ten days' time. Although we do not have a large production yet, demand is lively. At present, this variety is only cultivated on our group's farm, Sapore Sardo, but we aim to expand the cultivated hectares. It is a good vegetable to eat, dark in colour with red streaks and very visually appealing. To make it stand out, Noir will have its own special packaging. We already have plans in place with two distribution chains."
Artichokes
The season started with the Tema variety in the first week of October, as Filippo Frongia reports. "On a commercial level, it started with considerable quotations, also due to the general context of horticultural shortages which characterised the month of October. The quality is satisfactory, despite the fact that temperatures are still high for the time of year. And, after a short production peak at a time that was not very suitable for sales, the situation should stabilise this week. Prices are changing but, for the time being, the campaign is proceeding quite well. Supplies for the programmes with big retail chains are currently being delivered."
"Last week, we also started harvesting the Spinoso variety, and quality is quite good. Prices are high and, for the moment, we are only selling the produce through traditional channels, general markets and commercial warehouses, because volumes are not yet such as to guarantee continuity of supply to big retail chains."
"Artichoke production will come into full swing around 20 November, when we will be able to offer the continuity that characterises us. In addition, the first batches of cleaned and packaged artichokes have been available since last week," concludes Frongia.
For more information:
Andrea Manca - sales manager
+39 342 3390390
Agro Mediterranea Distribuzione Srl
S.P. 56 Km 0.500 Loc. Perdalba
09027 Serrenti (SU) - Italy
[email protected]
www.agromed.it