"At a commercial level, the beginning of the campaign was good, whereas in the last few weeks sales prices dropped below the production cost. This is probably due to the abundance of national produce caused by higher temperatures and by imports (especially from Spain). As regards quantities, it was an excellent year."
The company usually carries out two pepper transplants; one is already over, whereas the other is just starting. As regards the first transplants, 150,000 tons of produce have been harvested in 25,000 sq m of protected environment.
The company cultivates the Crucero, Airone and Cariddi varieties (photo above). "Cariddi is a good variety, even though plants are weaker than the Crucero ones. Cariddi peppers have a better quality, although Crucero ones are more square and homogeneous."
The sales channels are local wholesalers (S. Croce and Vittoria markets) and other companies.
The main objective of the company is quality. "It is possible to tackle many challenges with a high quality produce. The best defence is a good offence, therefore we have been adding greenhouses so that we compete better."
Peppers are packed in cardboard or plastic according to their destination.
Gaetano Gulino (in the photo below) from the F.lli Gulino Srl company, one of the operators of the S. Croce Camerina market, also confirms the downward trend.
"At the moment, the varieties available on the market are yellow Baleno and Jumper and red Cariddi and Airone peppers. Prices are a bit low at the moment because of competition from Spain. They hover around €1.00-1.10 for both yellow and red peppers. The produce is sold unprocessed."
"We represent large-scale distributors, therefore we supply many Italian markets. At the moment these are the prices we manage to achieve. We sell 40-50 pallets a day on average."
As Gaetano reports, at the moment the Cariddi variety is rather popular, as it is quite compact and smooth. "It meets the needs of the current market."
As Gaetano reports, at the moment the Cariddi variety is rather popular, as it is quite compact and smooth. "It meets the needs of the current market."
With respect to the previous season though, prices are better, €0.30-0.40 more on average. "I don't know why prices are higher, it might be because there is less produce coming from abroad. In fact, we manage to defend ourselves more from competition this year."
In addition to peppers, F.lli Gulino Srl sells a lot of round aubergines. "The campaign was good this year. Prices are good, above average, as we are talking about €0.80. A considerable improvement with respect to the previous campaign."
In addition to peppers, F.lli Gulino Srl sells a lot of round aubergines. "The campaign was good this year. Prices are good, above average, as we are talking about €0.80. A considerable improvement with respect to the previous campaign."