Strawberries from Basilicata go from the field to shelf in just 24 hours. Such organised logistics is a point of strength for the production hub and is just as important as the climate, crop technique and organisation in general.
Franco Greco with his wife Donata
"Producers bring me their produce in the morning before 11 and know that it will be at the Bologna platform within 11 pm of the same day. Then, at 5 in the morning, chains receive the fruit and consumers can thus purchase it within 24 hours from harvesting," explains Valchirio Piraccini.
Piraccini Secondo" technicians. Right to left: Gianni Graffieti, technical coordinator for Italy, Giovanni Persiani, technical coordinator for southern Italy, Marco Barretta, technical manager for kiwis, Fabio Colonnelli, manager of relationships with producers, Alfredo Carullo, technical manager for southern Italy and Pasquale De Angelis, technician for southern Italy
Franco Greco cultivates around 3 hectares in Scanzano Ionico. "We perfect our techniques year after year to improve produce quality. We obtained good results using white plastic between rows, as it keeps everything cleaner and reflects more light."
Strawberry prices remain high also due to the low quantities available. They are expected to stabilise as more volumes will become available from the weekend onward.
On 28th March 2018, Basilicata strawberries were featured on Rai1's "Buono a Sapersi" hosted by Elisa Isoardi.