The lemon campaign in Sicily is going through a transitional phase: The season has come to an end for the Verdello type, which will make way for Primofiore in about ten days. This is what was reported by Silvia Magliocco, Italian sales manager of the Pasam Agrumi cooperative, one of the largest associations in the Syracuse area, now led by the third generation of the family.
"We are still active on the Verdello front, but only will be for a short time: Within a week, or ten days max, we will switch to Primofiore. Verdello has been scarce this year, and with high prices: we are talking about €1.30/kg in the fields for the organic product. Prices will drop with Primofiore, though not drastically, because availability will remain limited."
© PASAM - Produttori Agricoli Siracusani Associati
Production is conditioned by the weather anomalies of March and April, which caused drops and considerably reduced the setting. "We estimate an average drop of 35% compared to last year. The difference compared to 2024 is clear, as volumes were high, but quality was poor, also due to the wrinkling of the skin, so much so that some companies managed to record up to 40% waste. This year, there are fewer defects, and the quality of the fruit is much better."
The picture was worsened by the hailstorm that hit a strip of land between Ispica, Noto, and Rosolini at the end of August. "Several citrus groves were literally 'drilled' by the hail, compromising entire productions. This will translate into further waste and reduced availability."
Although with a reduced quality, the product available maintains high standards. "Those who are well organised still manage to fulfil customer orders. The real challenge lies in managing the supply chain to ensure continuity despite the lower volumes," Magliocco points out.
© PASAM - Produttori Agricoli Siracusani Associati
Added to the production difficulties are the irrigation costs, made more burdensome by the still high temperatures that are characterising the month of September. "Irrigation costs weigh heavily on company budgets," Magliocco emphasises, "but they are essential to guarantee the quality of the harvest."
Markets and Spanish competition
Demand is stable on the commercial front, both in Italy and abroad (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). "We have made a good start: in addition to contracts with our historical customers, we have concluded agreements with an important Italian customer and with a foreign chain."
The comparison with Spain remains inevitable. "Just like every year, Spanish lemons dominate the European market. This year too, production is down and prices are high, but the preference of European consumers remains for the Spanish product. In the past, a German customer told us that, even with lower prices, consumers still choose the Spanish lemons. The Spanish are stronger when it comes to promotion, but, in our opinion, the quality of the Sicilian product - organic, PGI and also biodynamic - is superior as fruits are more acidic, with a deeper flavour, and with distinctive organoleptic qualities."
© PASAM - Produttori Agricoli Siracusani Associati
On the trade fair front, the company confirms its participation in Fruit Attraction in Madrid as a visitor. "We started attending the Spanish fair last year. We consider it a growing and interesting event, because it coincides with the start of the lemon campaign. For now, however, we are not investing in a stand, unlike we do for Fruit Logistica in Berlin, where we have been present as exhibitors for years," Magliocco concludes.
For more information:
Silvia Magliocco
P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi Soc Coop
Via Elorina 131/A
96100 Syracuse - Italy
+39 339 2012197
[email protected]
www.pasamagrumi.it