“The management of a company does not only revolve around market logic, as there are also social responsibilities," explains Fabio Trunfio, owner and sales manager at Azienda Agricola Patea.
Over the years, the company has grown also thanks to the families who have come to Italy from the other side of the world and who work with Patea in the various production activities.
"We have been welcoming extra-Europeans for over a decade and we also favor family reunifications for smart kids who learn the job quickly. This is why we are convinced that Bergamo oranges have favored aggregation, integration and social inclusion in Calabria."
Patea is located in Brancaleone (RC) and specializes in the extraction of essential oils from Bergamot oranges, creating a line of bottled juices and one of frozen products in addition to the fresh fruits and the wide range of processed products which include candied peel, oils and essences (used to create 70% of natural fragrances in the world).
Bergamot oranges from Reggio Calabria are mostly known for their essence, though their popularity as a fresh fruit and for the healthy products derived from the squeezed fruits is increasing. In the fragrance industry, the essence favors the aromatic stabilization between different fragrances. In a similar way, Bergamot oranges favor aggregation and stimulate the cooperation between growers.
"To diversify the juice range, we have just presented the blond orange juice and, at SIAL, we presented mango juice from Calabria and Sicily, obtained squeezing the fresh fruits and available in the 200 and 750 ml formats. The points of strength include the processing of fruit 'as is', i.e. with no added sugar and usually at low temperatures not to lose the vitamin content. As is known, the world of juices is segmented and characterized by low innovation, so flavors and formats keep changing. Our entire range is capable to satisfying both consumers who opt for more traditional products as well as those preferring exotic products and superfoods."
“When it comes to solidarity, we often opt for charitable initiatives all over Italy so that our Bergamot oranges from Reggio Calabria can also convey a positive message. For example, we help families that are apart by reuniting them over time, especially when it comes to creative and respectable people who want to get in the game and solve the problems all businesses must face. They are precious, especially in period when there is a lack of local labor. I am talking for example about the Indian family of Salinder Singh, who was hired in 2010 as a skilled worker. His wife Rani joined him in 2016, now young Tanya will come here too, as well as her younger brother."
Around 30% of fresh Bergamot oranges are sold to the big distribution chain, while the rest is sold processed through specialized channels. Production is obtained on approximately 100 hectares and the fruits are allocated to different sales channels, with the processed products beating the fresh fruits in terms of profitability both in Italy and abroad.
For further information:
Fabio Trunfio
Azienda Agricola Patea
Contrada Caldara s.n.
89036 Brancaleone (RC) - Italy
Cell.: (+39) 338 6311477
Email: info@essenzabergamotto.com
Web: www.essenzabergamotto.com