From the success of the Barattì to the bet on Zucchiolo

The year 2025 is still three months away, but, for Ortofrutticola Egnathia - the Apulian company that markets its products under the Miss Freschezza brand - it is already time to make some final considerations. Sales Manager Cosimo Leggiero reports that this year has not been among the easiest, though it was still a positive one with encouraging signs from both the domestic and foreign markets.

"Three months from the end of the year, the balance is quite positive, even if we cannot consider 2025 among the best years. The winter campaign suffered from climatic anomalies: the so-called 'non-winter' affected both production and quotations, making them fluctuate. The spring-summer season gave us decent results with asparagus, while new potatoes and courgettes did not reach the values of the past two seasons."

Driving the growth, however, is 'Barattì - Apulian Sensation', the brand dedicated to the barattiere, and the forte of Ortofrutticola Egnathia. "The product is increasingly known and appreciated not only in Apulia, but throughout Italy and, to our satisfaction, abroad as well. The company attributes this success to its continuous investments in quality and research, which are essential to guarantee constant standards over time. "It is never easy when it comes to fruits and vegetables, but we are succeeding, and this encourages us to keep going."

Climate and water: Decisive variables
Looking at the factors that have conditioned the production and sales campaigns, the central theme remains the climate. "We have witnessed profound changes in recent years: in winter, we continue to produce without the limits of the past, when the risk of frost blocked crops. But, at the same time, sudden extreme events cause difficulties, leaving us in constant uncertainty." Another crucial issue is the scarcity of water, which leads producers to concentrate crops in the statistically rainiest periods, generating imbalances with peaks and gaps in production.

At the moment, Ortofrutticola Egnathia is still busy with the last volumes of Barattì and the first seasonal vegetables (chard, parsley, Catalogna chicory, and kohlrabi) waiting to come into full swing in November. At the same time, the collaboration with the Liso farm continues in the middle of the table grape campaign.

As for the coming winter campaign, Leggiero says he is confident: "We are hoping for the weather to turn, with rain and a drop in temperatures that can boost consumption. It is still early to make precise forecasts, but we will face the season with our usual enthusiasm, courage, and dedication."

As for the recent trade union mobilisations linked to geopolitical tensions, Leggiero says that there have been repercussions on logistics, but no major blockades. "We only recorded some delays in deliveries, but no real inconvenience."

Fruit Attraction 2025: consolidated relations and an absolute novelty
Participation in Fruit Attraction 2025 has been confirmed with great conviction. "We will be in Madrid to consolidate existing relationships and open up to those who want to meet us in person. We do not focus on numbers at all costs; we want to select solid and lasting collaborations."

The fair will also be an opportunity to present an absolute novelty, i.e., zucchiolo, the fruit of a collaboration with the seed company that owns the trademark and variety. "It is a curious hybrid between a courgette and a cucumber, boasting an unusual taste, and we are the first in Italy to test and market this product. It is a gamble, but the first feedback is satisfactory."

Many company representatives will be at the Miss Freschezza stand, mostly under 40. Alongside Cosimo Leggiero and export manager Antonella Branio, there will be agronomist Zaccaria, Fabio Leggiero, and three other collaborators. Gianni Liso and Riccardo Mazzone will be present for the Liso farm. "We are proud of our team," concludes Leggiero, "and we invite everyone to drop by even just for saying 'hi' in Hall 4, Stand 4C04a-4C04b."

For more information:
Cosimo Leggiero - sales manager
+39 349 2466936
Antonella Branio - export manager
+39 345 7916385
Ortofrutticola Egnathia s.r.l.
C.da Losciale, 111
70043 Monopoli (BA) - Italy
+39 080 801140
www.missfreschezza.it
www.barattiapuliansensation.it