The industry of citrus fruit derivatives in Sicily boasts a primacy in the production of blood oranges, the distinguishing feature of which is their high pigmentation, associated with the production of anthocyanins that characterise the vesicles and carpels of the three main orange cultivars - Tarocco, Moro, and Sanguinello - in different ways in terms of intensity and distribution. As is known, this peculiarity depends on the temperature range, favoured by the unique climatic conditions of the production areas on the slopes of Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe which overlooks thousands of hectares invested in citrus fruit production.
"Climate change, prolonged drought, and high temperatures have put a strain on the delicate process that favours fruit pigmentation, resulting in variations in internal colour from one season to the next. Although citrus fruits of excellent quality and flavour were expected for the current campaign, grades are actually small and pigmentation is poor, so much so that both the juice and the flesh of oranges do not show the characteristic deep red colour that attracts consumers," explain Antonino Imbesi and Savina Maio, respectively sales and financial director SmarTrading.
SmarTrading is a trading company with a growing business volume, led by a young corporate team. It was founded with the aim of creating synergies between the agricultural and industrial sectors. Juice and other citrus and summer fruit derivatives are supplied to bottling companies to develop ingredients for food products, ice cream, pastry products, cocktails, candy, and natural flavourings. By virtue of its control over the raw material supply chain and its care in the monitoring of processing plants, the company guarantees premium products that meet specific customer requirements.
"The Sicilian citrus fruit sector has been going through a crisis over the past few years, with very low availability of citrus fruit for the processing industry. On top of climatic reasons, other factors that contributed to this have been reduced production and the steep rise in the price of juice from Brazil, which in fact dictates international market prices. Such dependence on international prices - set by the world's leading producers such as Brazil, Argentina, and Spain - has historically put the Italian citrus fruit processing sector in a difficult position, unable to compete effectively in the global market."
SmarTrading processes citrus and summer fruits grown using both organic and traditional techniques, which it then markets in metal drums, tanks, buckets, and bag-in-boxes. The product range includes derivatives of different fruit varieties, processed into natural Not From Concentrate (NFC) juices obtained simply by mechanically squeezing the fruit. The assortment also includes preparations for bottlers and the confectionery and ice cream industries, as well as for perfume and flavouring companies. The top products, marketed both in Italy and abroad (France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria), include all types of citrus juices, pomegranate juices, essences, and frozen citrus peel.
The pigmentation of blood oranges, associated with the production of anthocyanins, affects the vesicles and carpels of the three main cultivars (A, 'Tarocco'; B, 'Moro'; C, 'Sanguinello') by intensity and distribution. In contrast, oranges that are pinkish due to the presence of lycopene (D, 'Cara Cara') have a uniform colour and a very different shade. (Photos by G. Russo, CREA-OFA Acireale).
"The leading product is the Sicilian one. As far as juice from abroad is concerned, you need to be careful because, especially at a time like the present, if you are not an expert there is the risk of buying goods of dubious origin in terms of the quality and wholesomeness of the raw material. As part of the company's internationalisation projects, I have opened a partnership with a Greek producer that is giving me great satisfaction. We mainly produce blond orange juice (both concentrated and NFC), other by-products, and small quantities of lemons and clementines for the fresh market, which are very popular in Greece."
For more information:
Antonino Imbesi
SmarTrading s.r.l.
Via Barcellona Castroreale, 21
98051- Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (ME)
+39 0909032180
+39 3473830904
commerciale@smartrading.eu
www.smartrading.eu