"Consumers appreciate agretti, or lischi as they are called here in Romagna because they are a typical spring vegetable. Although the current price is certainly not among the lowest, sales are going very well," reported Massimiliano Ceccarini, general manager of Sipo, during a visit to Roberto Bologna's production company located in Bellaria Igea Marina (Rimini).
"I grow lischi in a heated greenhouse so as to anticipate the harvest which, this year, started around 25 February. It is a very rustic crop that, if managed well, does not require any pesticides. It is very important, however, to make a correct rotation and not always grow in the same greenhouses."
Left to right: Roberto Bologna and Massimiliano Ceccarini
"At the moment, prices paid to producers are close to €4/kg because, in addition to all the production costs, the fact that much of the harvesting is done exclusively by hand must be taken into consideration. Our lischi are either loose in bunches to be weighed or in cardboard or plastic packages with a predetermined weight of 300 grams. Then it is up to the various big retail chains to choose the format that best suits them."
Lischi packaged under the Sapori del mio orto brand name
Local agretti are packaged under the Verdure di Romagna brand name, while those from other regions, such as Lazio, bear the Sapori del mio orto brand name: both are historical brands belonging to Sipo.
Vegetables from Romagna
"One of the most important aspects, which we care a lot about, is that only a few hours pass between harvesting and packaging since our producers in Romagna are all located within a few kilometers of our plant. Roberto Bologna, for example, is located just over a kilometer away. Once the agretti, as well as other vegetables, arrive at the factory, they are immediately packed and shipped so that they reach the points of sale within 24 hours."
For more information:
SIPOSrl
Via Fermignano 20
47814 Bellaria Igea Marina (RN)
+39 0541 339711
sipo@sipo.it
www.sipo.it
For more information
Riccardo Giacomini
+44 794.9425912
sipo@sipolondon.uk
www.sipolondon.uk