The last days of harvesting and sales for the PGI Rocca Imperiale Lemons are almost over, and yet orders, and yet orders still seem to be on the rise, thanks to warmer temperatures and the consequent increase in consumption during the summer months. "Each day the large-scale retail chains are asking us for more and more goods, volumes that we cannot always guarantee, precisely because most of the produce has now been harvested. The last pallets should leave next weekend. The 2021/22 campaign is drawing to a close, with over 1,200 tons sold under the Limoré brand and 10 days later than last season." These data were referred by Pietro Buongiorno, one of the founders of the Agricultural Cooperative Producers of Lemons of Rocca Imperiale.
Pietro Buongiorno
"We had thought we would be able to extend our commercial calendar at least until the beginning of June, thanks to the entry into production of the new plants, but the opening of anti-Covid-19 restrictions and the various promotional campaigns put in place in recent months have helped boost sales in the Horeca channel and pushed consumption in supermarket chains, thus generating a high purchase frequency. The expansion of supplies at new supermarkets, both Italian and foreign, also contributed to an immediate de-accumulation of available volumes."
Workers during harvesting
"Foreign countries are also responding very well in these last days of sales. Switzerland, Germany, Britain and France are our main customers. The UK prefers smaller fruits (around 150 grams), while the remaining countries prefer larger gauges (no more than 250 grams). As for Italy, on the other hand, the sizes go up to 300 grams, especially in the central regions."
"One of the biggest difficulties we had to face this year was the small size of the fruit, due to the excessive heat recorded last summer and the absence of rain, factors that led to a delay in the growth of the lemons, some of which we then recovered not until February. To remedy this, we preferred, despite the increase in labor costs, to carry out multiple harvesting passes, so as to allow the fruit to grow larger and ensure suitable gauges for the markets."
"Despite the aftermath of the pandemic emergency, generalized price increases and the climate of uncertainty generated by the war, we managed to bring home excellent results in terms of customer loyalty, brand growth and excellent remuneration for members."
For more information:
Produttori di Limoni Associati di Rocca Imperiale - Soc. Agricola
Via Vibo Valentia, 26
87074 Rocca Imperiale (CS) - Italy
(+39) 349 4694903 / +39 320 3819847
prolimonidiroccaimp@libero.it
www.limore.it
O.P. Joinfruit Società Consortile a.r.l.
Via al Castello 13
12039 Verzuolo (CN)
(+39) 0175 230807
s.mana@joinfruit.com
info@joinfruit.com
www.joinfruit.com