Naomi Nicodemo, manager of the collection department at Gruppo Nicofruit, explains that, despite the same cultivated surfaces, the volumes of strawberries harvested and processed are lower than last year. There is, in fact, a delay due to various factors, but it seems that the campaign is not being affected at the moment, as demand is lively.
Matera strawberry - 400 g punnet
"We are expecting to ship fewer pallets in March due to rooting problems, which led to a 10% drop in production for all crops. Producers had to replace plants even multiple times until December. Considering the status of the beds, blossoming, and ripening speed, we believe the production and consumption peak may coincide in early April. Demand will gradually increase towards the end of the month."
Naomi Nicodemo
Gruppo Nicofruit boasts one hundred hectares of strawberry crops, either owned directly or by its partners. "Cultivated areas have maintained stable over the years. Our packaging capacity is in line with the number of hectares grown. We will expand our processing lines over the next couple of years. The trend is satisfactory when it comes to both supply/demand and prices. Our producers are pleased and we are hoping things will remain like this until early June."
Francesco Nicodemo, manager of relations with the big retail chain, explains that exports are also significant due to the limited volumes from Spain. "Great Britain and Germany are pushing despite the slowdown of the German economy. Prices are medium-high compared with previous years. We have planned 3 shipments a week destined for German supermarkets and two for British ones. Over the years, we have come to cover a considerable market share and to retain European customers in a structured manner, selling Matera® strawberries for many months even when consumption is only abroad. Just like for other products, consumers can make purchases based on price. The cost of a product often depends on the quality and the cultivation area."
For more information:
Frutthera Soc. Coop. Agr.
Via Provinciale, 15
75020 Scanzano Jonico, MT
Tel.: (+39) 0835 954666
Email: info@frutthera.it
nicofruit.it