"It is still early to comment on the commercial season, because transplants are currently underway and will continue until December. We have 120 hectares destined to the production of PGI new carrots from Ispica plus 35 hectares of potatoes, 30 hectares of bell peppers and 45 hectares of zucchini, in line with last year," explains Carmelo Calabrese, president of OP Fonteverde di Ispica (RG) in south-eastern Sicily.
Carmelo Calabrese
"During the second phase of the agricultural year, we will perform transplants from January to March, when we will plant 30 hectares of netted melons and 15 hectares of watermelons. In addition, we will increase our early table grape cultivation to reach 14 hectares."
OP Fonteverde production calendar. (Click here to enlarge)
"There are also 16 hectares of early blonde oranges (Navel)."
Processing of PGI new carrots from Ispica
Established companies also have new objectives
"Our objectives for the short/medium period include the zero-residue certification of our products. We are committed to implementing sustainable cultivation methods and employ integrated control methods. We would like our efforts to be recognized by an official certification."
Bell peppers by OP Fonteverde
"Over the past few years, we have seen our markets of reference strengthen. We work with both Italian and foreign destinations and mainly with retail chains. The products we mostly export to Germany, France and Poland are: zucchini, carrots and grapes (over 50% of our total production). Bell peppers and melons are instead mainly commercialized in Italy."
Zucchini
"To further guarantee the quality of our products we made investments to improve our facilities and add new controlled temperature areas that help the logistics department."
Contacts:
OP Consorzio Fonteverde Società Consortile Agricola a r.l.
C.da Fontanazza s.n.
97014 Ispica (RG) Italy 
Tel.: +39 0932 951484
Fax: +39 0932 951200
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fonteverde.com