"Our farm is located a stone's throw from the Mediterranean coast, on fertile, sun-kissed land. Vegetables with an authentic flavour grow here, thanks to the proximity of the sea," explains Giorgio Licitra, manager of Marina Iblea, a consortium that grows top-quality produce with added value for the supply chain from seed to the fresh counter at the points of sale.
© Az. Agr. Ass. Marina Iblea
Tradition and innovation in the field
Founded in 2000 by a group of producers, Marina Iblea has been focusing on protected cultivation. Today, the company pursues a type of agriculture that combines experience, innovation, and respect for the environment on about 120 hectares of greenhouses.
© Az. Agr. Ass. Marina Iblea
The horticultural season extends from November to June, and the company offers a range of carefully selected products:
- Cherry Tomatoes (Creative): 1200 tonnes
- Mini Plum Tomatoes (Rigolettino): 400 tonnes
- Bunch Tomatoes (Tylcram): 4000 tonnes
- Plum Tomatoes (Cikito): 100 tonnes
- Hormone-Free Parthenocarpic Round Eggplants (Cristal): 1100 tonnes
- Oblong Green Tomatoes (Sir Elyan): 4000 tonnes
- Cucumbers (Bosco): 700 tonnes
- Dark Courgettes: 780 tonnes
- Beefsteak Tomatoes (Kokoro): 700 tonnes
Between February and June, we add:
- Yellow peppers (Seoul): 1000 tonnes
- Red Peppers (Rio Grande/Costero): 1000 tonnes
- Yellow/Red horn peppers: 200 tonnes
© Az. Agr. Ass. Marina Iblea
Between challenges and opportunities
"As the horticultural campaign reaches its peak, the fruit and vegetable market is facing new challenges. Economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and changes in consumption are influencing demand. In addition, favourable weather has accelerated production, increasing supply and lowering the prices of many crops, including tomatoes (bunch, cherry, mini plum, plum, oblong, beefsteak), cucumbers, aubergines, courgettes, and peppers of different types. Hence the idea, a few years ago, to diversify production to meet market needs, expanding our offer with mini-midi watermelons and yellow melons, cultivated on 15 hectares. A strategic investment that enriches the catalogue and strengthens the link with our business partners. Marina Iblea is in fact not only an agricultural business, but a point of reference for those looking for genuine products cultivated with great respect for the land and, therefore, highly sustainable without ever losing sight of our roots."
© Az. Agr. Ass. Marina Iblea
The commercial situation and production prices
Quality is currently optimal thanks to the mild climate and also thanks to our agronomic knowledge and the varieties chosen, which are of fundamental importance for us. Nevertheless, the market is currently somewhat burdened by several factors. First of all, there is the economic uncertainty of families, who find themselves having less and less purchasing power. Then there is the instability generated by the war in Ukraine and the European rearmament policies, which certainly do not help consumer confidence.
The ex-works quotations provided by Marina Iblea are as follows:
- Round, smooth red bunch tomatoes: €1.50/kg;
- Cherry tomatoes: 500 g tray at €1.10;
- Midi plum tomatoes: 500 g tray at €0.90;
- Plum tomatoes: 250 g tray at €0.70;
- Oblong tomatoes: €0.90/kg;
- Beefsteak tomatoes: €1.20/kg;
- Horned cucumbers: €0.70/kg;
- Aubergines: €0.50/kg;
- Dark green courgettes: €0.80/kg;
- Yellow peppers: €2.00/kg;
- Red peppers: €2.00/kg;
- Yellow/red horn peppers: €2.30/2.40/kg.
The company holds the necessary certifications for the national and foreign markets: GlobalGAP, GRASP, and IFS. It also implements integrated pest management practices to guarantee sustainable production and constant quality.
For more information:
Giorgio Licitra
Marina Iblea Soc. Cons. Agr. a r.l. 
C/Da Gaddimeli, S. P. 36 Km 3,8 sn,
97010 Marina Di Ragusa (RG) - Italy
+39 335 638 0333
giorgiolicitra.92@libero.it
www.marinaiblea.it