It is located in the Sele Plain and it is divided into 2 production sites:
• Battipaglia, località Spineta, with 60 hectares;
• Battipaglia, località Santa Lucia, with 10 hectares.
The company is managed directly by Mr. Pasquale and by his three sons, thanks to whom it became leading in the production of vegetables in the Sele plain.
In addition, in 2010, F.lli Valcalcer obtained the GLOBALGAP and GRASP certifications by meeting the requirements and passing periodic inspections.
Aubergine crop.
Sustainable crops
The company complies with regional specifications concerning the health defence of plants. The strategy is based on inspections to check for parasites, on the choice of active substances to be used if effective, on degradation, on the classification of commercial formulas and on the safeguard of helpful insects.
Sustainable crops
The company complies with regional specifications concerning the health defence of plants. The strategy is based on inspections to check for parasites, on the choice of active substances to be used if effective, on degradation, on the classification of commercial formulas and on the safeguard of helpful insects.
All of the various measures to contain adversities are taken, such as the use of resistant varieties and healthy seeds, weeding, biological control (helpful insects), mulching, drip irrigation and anti-insect netting.
Crops are nurtured using a tank system, thanks to which nutrients are administered according to the need or the phenological phase of plants, all the while keeping nitre levels under control. In addition, the company also has a nursery garden to produce GMO-free plants so that they can be traced.
Oneida watermelon crop.
The main productions
The 70 hectares of surfaces are all covered.
The main productions
The 70 hectares of surfaces are all covered.
In winter (October-March), they are cultivated as follows:
- approx. 40 hectares of lettuce (Trocadero, Lollo, Gentilina, Foglia di quercia);
- approx. 20 hectares of leaf salad (lamb's lettuce, Red Chard e Bull’s blood);
- approx. 10 hactares of turnips.
- approx. 27 hectares of Lady, Caravan and Oneida watermelons (big and medium);
- approx. 20 hectares of Lapillo, Classico, Eppo and Nestor peppers (half-long red and yellow);
- approx. 10 hectares of Dalia and Cheryl aubergines (round);
- approx. 2 hectares of Caman cucumbers.
Dalia aubergines.
Transplants and Harvesting
| Product | Transplanting period (from - to) | Harvesting period (from - to) |
| Lettuce | First 10 days of September - end of February | Mid-October - mid-April |
| Leaf salad | End of August - mid-March | Mid-September - end of April |
| Turnip | Mid-October - beginning of February | Mid November - beginning of April |
| Watermelons | End of February - April | Mid-May - August |
| Peppers | Mid-February - beginning of June | Mid-May - beginning of November |
| Aubergines | Beginning of March - beginning of June | Beginning of May - beginning of November |
As explained by the company technician, this winter greenhouses were flooded, so production dropped. "Whereas a couple of years ago there were some tornados that destroyed some greenhouses."
Oneida watermelons.
The company is a partner of Eboli's Alma Seges producer's organisation, therefore most of the production is handed over to them. The remaining part is destined to processing platforms. "In both cases, the produce is supplied to national and foreign mass retailing."
Lapillo peppers.
"As regards demand, we can say that that of aubergines and peppers is satisfactory, with average prices hovering around €0.55/kg for aubergines and €0.70/kg for peppers (harvested green)."
Lapillo peppers.
"Considering the results and the trend of the demand last year, expectations are good for medium-sized 6-8 kg watermelons (Oneida variety) and we are optimistic also regards big ones because of the bad weather in our peninsula, which will most definitely affect open field crops."
Giuliano Valcalcer shows a Oneida watermelon.
"Our main competitor is Spain, though we must not forget Sicily. Despite the economic crisis, we can say that consumption has not dropped. This is because consumers are willing to spend more for high-quality products."
Pepper crops.
In any case, the situation at a national level does not stimulate the creation of new projects: "We are waiting for this stagnation period to pass. We will see in the future!".
In any case, the situation at a national level does not stimulate the creation of new projects: "We are waiting for this stagnation period to pass. We will see in the future!".
Contacts:
S.P. 135 - Loc. Spineta, 94
84091 Battipaglia (SA)
Tel./Fax: (+39) 0828 624653
Email: [email protected]
Oneida watermelon. | Dalia aubergines. |
Oneida crops. | Pepper crops. |