In six weeks, Italy's Fri-El Green House, known for its H2Orto brand, will have 30 acres of greenhouse crops in production. That's ten more than they have now. Florian Gostner, the director of this company from Ostellato, in the province of Ferrara, which grows tomatoes year-round, provided some background.
"We currently have 20 hectares in production. As of March, that will be 30. Currently, we are growing vine tomatoes, premium vine tomatoes, and cocktail plum tomatoes. We are also gaining a foothold abroad, with Austria and Germany as the main destinations."
Gostner pointed out that in the cold months, 75% of the yield is sold abroad and 25% in Italy. In the summer, it's the other way around.
Florian Gostner (photo Pierluigi Benini)
Profit margins remain satisfactory as greenhouse heating uses energy generated by biogas plants, cogeneration, and solar panels.
"In December, the market suffered a downturn, and orders fell. The average for 2022 is at least satisfactory, but in the last four months, we have seen a significant drop in prices."
In 2023, the focus remains on Strabena, a mini plum tomato. "After its success abroad, we also want to supply this tomato on a permanent basis to Italian retailers operating under the H2Orto brand. It is a vine tomato with a high sugar content (brix value of 8-9) and an intense and special taste," he concluded.
For more information:
H2ORTO
Via delle Serre 1
44020 Ostellato (Ferrara) - Italia
Tel.: +39 0533 57411
www.h2orto.it