The belief that nothing needs to change because "we've always done it this way" is far removed from the philosophy of modern horticulture, which feeds off constant technological and varietal innovations. So does the Italian cultivation company Russo, which over the years, has demonstrated its ability to follow market trends through different cultivation approaches.
"A product must be able to meet not only the needs of the supply chain but also market trends, increasingly driven by conscious consumers. This is why we have been focusing on the health aspect for some time now by cultivating RINA-certified nickel-free tomatoes for people who are allergic to this heavy metal," says Gioacchino Russo, owner of the company.
Red cherry plum tomatoes
Nickel-free products are not included in the pharmacopoeia, and yet they are useful for about 5-6% of the population who suffer from nickel allergy. Food products that do not contain nickel are receiving increasing interest from the food industry.
To obtain the nickel-free certification, a cultivator or processor of plant products must prepare a technical specification that defines the procedures and control measures taken to ensure the absence of nickel in the commercialized product. To obtain a certification, the control system must also be assessed by an independent third party. In particular, substrate cultivation avoids the uptake of nickel present in the soil. Sandy soil also lends itself to nickel-free cultivation with cautious research.
"It's certainly a step forward toward protecting consumers' health, but it's also an important element alongside our niche to grow and add a tomato specialty to the ones that we've been commercializing for years," continues Russo.
Russo is not harvesting tomatoes at the moment. The next harvest cycle will not begin until mid/late September.
"Our company focuses on the retail sector and specializes in high quality," explains the expert. "Moreover, with us, taste is never separate from a good shelf life, the first characteristic, with its unique balance between acids and sugars, guaranteed by ideal soil and climatic conditions, thanks to its proximity to the sea, as well as by genetics and cultivation management. This makes distant transportation and a long shelf life possible."
This combination is found in only a few cultivars, and at Russo's, it is complemented by the feature of certified nickel-free cultivation.
The care for the plants at this nursery is impressive. Cuts, to mention just one example, are healed using stone powder, a natural product that seals wounds and prevents fungal diseases. In this way, it reduces the application of plant protection products, with clear benefits for crop sustainability and a healthy end product.
Detail of a cut on a cherry plum tomato, covered with stone powder to prevent infection.
The company also has all the certifications that guarantee good growing practices. The next harvesting cycle at Russo will start in mid/late September.
For more information:
Gioacchino Russo
Azienda Agricola Russo
+39 347 8955522
[email protected]
www.russoaziendagricola.com