Italy: Gisacoop PO increases sales to retail channel

"In 2015, production increased thanks to the good weather, though prices were lower because of the quantities available on the market. We recorded a 10% growth for all products and a little more for cherry tomatoes," explains Giuseppe Giacchi (in the photo), President of the Gisacoop PO.

The cooperative is young and dynamic and gathers 50 producers united by their passion for local production and high quality.

As regards its nursery garden activity, there are 230 hectares of greenhouses producing 20 million plants including tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, courgettes, melons and watermelons.

The production chain is supervised down to the tiniest detail and the company has an assortment of the riches in Southern Italy. In addition, the monitoring and technologically advanced production plants guarantee full traceability for an annual volume of over 20,000 tons of products.

"We have increased our sales to Italian retailers and we also work with Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, France and Switzerland. Exports were going great up until a few years ago - 70% of the produce was shipped abroad. Now only 30% is exported, while the rest is sold in Italy. This was due to increased competition from other countries, especially Morocco and Spain."

Storing, processing and packaging is carried out in a 2,000 sq m warehouse.

Processing lines are made up of 107 sorting, grading and packaging stations and can process 7 tons an hours. "We have the most modern and efficient packaging centre in the south."

The outside area covers 20,000 sq m, useful for the loading of heavy goods vehicles.

The cooperative's mantra is "synergy and quality for excellent production and satisfied clients. We work on a unique land and believe that its fruits are the children of the respect, dedication and abnegation that our territory deserves. They are priceless for us and for future generations."

Contacts:
GISACOOP So. Coop. Agr.
Contrada Mazzara km 2,00
97019 Vittoria (Ragusa)
Tel.: +39 0932 1877918
Fax: +39 0932 1870729
Web: www.opgisacoop.com