Supply chain organisation and the creation of trusted relationships with farms support the production campaign in Sicily. 

The potato harvest campaign in Sicily ended well, the results of which are significantly benefiting from supply chain organisation, which – strengthened by the creation of trusted relationships with highly professional farms – allowed for constant production until the end of harvest, in the first days of June. Even though the overall production yield recorded lower results than average from previous years, due to the adverse weather conditions, the quality is again confirmed as meeting the best traditions of Sicilian new potatoes as well as market expectations.
 
“Making the difference in years like the one just finished is our supply chain organisation, which can rely on highly professional, loyal farms that can follow the guidelines of our company’s technical agronomic service which continuously accompanied the producer in all the growing stages”, explained Giulio Romagnoli, the CEO of Romagnoli F.lli Spa. “Well-deserved thanks go to all the company staff and, in particular, to our Sicilian partners who, with some difficulty, have helped continuously restock the market. Alongside this aspect, it was considerably influenced by the careful selection of the variety to the benefit of the entire supply chain, from the farmers to the end consumer, who buys a product with excellent organoleptic properties”.
 
In line with the production programme, the harvest will begin from mid-June in the Lazio coastal area of Maccarese, around Fiumicino. Once again in this case, the aforementioned factors helped produce fields with excellent plant development. From the first findings, yields are good with a high quality standard. 
The situation is different in northern Italy: starting from Emilia-Romagna, which was badly hit by floods and lost a large part of its farmland. The production situation also seems good in the Veneto region, where the weather conditions seem to have spared production, which appears to be good quality.
 
“It is too early to talk about production yields”, commented the Romagnoli F.lli Spa technical agronomic service. “However, considering the number of potatoes for each plant, we can express cautious optimism. We will most likely have a consistent size without any smaller than 40 mm or over 75 mm”.

“The outlook for the commercial and production campaign is very satisfactory and unique in some respects”, explained Roberto Chiesa, the sales manager of Romagnoli F.lli Spa. “When we have more information both on confirmation of production yields and on quality standards for northern Italy, while also taking into account the production situations in northern Europe, particularly regarding what will happen in France, we will be able to offer a more accurate forecast”.

“Throughout these very difficult months in terms of supply”, continued Chiesa, “large-scale Italian retail, a close ally of production, has showed great sensitivity and availability. This helped get the most out of the product, to the benefit of the entire supply chain, offering the end consumer a high quality standard. The 2023 campaign will also see the confirmation of the Premium lines and, in particular, of the èVita Residue-Free line. After three years of improving performances, Residue-Free potatoes and onions are consolidating their presence on supermarket shelves, therefore creating loyalty among consumers with this new offer”.

Image: Romagnoli F.lli