Despite the negative economic situation, Spontella Fruits growth continues, in 2019 it reached a production of 120 hectares of vineyards about (70% seedless) as well as a few hectares of apricots, plums and oranges.
Production, the number of customers and markets are growing, but we continue to consider us a “family farm”, led by the 4 brothers Anna, Natale, Domenico and Carmela Spontella, now flanked by the new generations that have joined the organization becoming increasingly managerial.
After the disappointing, rainy and humid 2018 season, 2019 was a year of great quality, characterized however by a significant contraction in the offer (30% less production). It was therefore expected a strong demand for Italian products, however prices remained low and our country suffered the increasingly intense competition from Greece, Spain, Turkey and North Africa, especially in the grape seedless segment. The traditional “Italia” grape was not requested and was sold even under cost. In short, another blow to the table grape market that has hit many Italian farmers.
We, also in this challenger 2019, have managed to confirm old customers and create new, profitable relationships, being always open and attentive to new commercial outlets, even if with small support at the level of the ‘country system’ which, at the moment, supports only in relations with Europe (mainly Holland, Great Britain, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic).
For Italian grapes, for example, the rich Middle Eastern market would be very interesting, but in the absence of bilateral trade agreements with EXTRA-EU countries, it becomes almost unattainable for individual producers. Spain, however, signed the ‘grape agreement’ with China, thus opening, for its producers, the doors of the largest market in the world.
Despite the problems of recent years, driven by the passion for our trade, the love for the area and the beautiful community of people around us, we continue to invest, grow and believe in our work.
And we have never stopped innovating: we have always and always been in step with the times, careful to consumer requests, starting from the varietal change that has made us switch from traditional grapes to more and more requests seedless grapes.
Not only that: consumers today are attentive to food safety, for this reason we have adhered to the ‘integrated method’, to acceptance and to the quality standards required by supermarkets, in order to guarantee high quality levels and safety and hygiene standards in the places of work. We have acquired important certifications such as Global Gap, Grasp, Nurture and Brc.
Our attention is increasingly focused also on the environment and sustainability, we are modifying our packaging in order to impact less on our beloved land which continues to give us wonderful fruits. This year we replaced the classic carry bags with paper bags with handles, much more beautiful and sustainable; our baskets are now “filmed” in order to reduce the use of plastic in view of the goal of totally eliminating it.
The challenges excite us and we expect a new year of great work, innovations and, hopefully, many other satisfactions. We take this opportunity to wish everyone a great 2020 and that it will be a very good year at least as much as our fruit!
