The campaign at the Italian greenhouse company Gioacchino Russo started a few weeks ago. This year, they focus entirely on high-flavor table tomatoes. Among their protagonists are plum tomatoes and a series of colored specialties, sold as "niche" products both in Italy and abroad.
Gioacchino Russo
Black mini plum, a variety suitable for the preparation of gourmet dishes. Click here for the full photo album
Clean and tidy
The company is located in Marina di Acate (RG), a few hundred km from the sea, where soil and weather conditions are ideal for greenhouse cultivation and the salinity rate of the water and soil leads to fruits with a deep flavor and color. Visiting this company is always an interesting experience due to its tidiness, cleanliness and care for detail, starting from the plant wounds treated with rock flour and other natural substances to prevent the onset of fungal diseases.
Cubello, another mini plum boasting unique ribs
Detail of "Cubello" tomatoes, which look like a Habanero
Quantity over quality?
"Obtaining high quality does not mean sacrificing quantity, but these words have a deeply different meaning in a company such as mine, which only covers 2 hectares. We take care of every single plant because healthy plants that are managed well grow fruits that are nice to eat and look at. The markets are full with commodities and those who want to stand out try to source produce from companies that can provide that something more, starting with flavor and presentation. Of course, reliable and punctual supplies can make a huge difference," explained Gioacchino Russo.
Detail of a wound "treated" to prevent infection
High-quality red plum tomatoes
Specialties
A tour of the greenhouses is enough to realize this company is different - production is always associated with experimentation and the search for new tomato varieties, especially small ones.
The annual production exceeds 140 tons. Azienda Russo opts for three short cycles with transplants in July, October and April, in both soil and substrate.
Click here for the full photo album
Cultivation techniques
Differentiated cultivation techniques help varieties fully express themselves, also mitigating the effects of the most common pathogens. Sustainability comes first with the rationalization of natural resources and technical means as, like Gioacchino Russo says, "nature must be respected if we want to keep doing this work and leave a liveable world to our children." Azienda Russo holds the GlobalGAP and GRASP certifications.
Last but not least, Russo appeals for the "haulier protest to end, as it is not helping anyone if it is done like this."
For further information:
Gioacchino Russo
Azienda Agricola Russo
+39 347 8955522
chiara.russo.89@virgilio.it
www.russoaziendagricola.com