Italia: Good new potato campaign after bad 2014

"We only have few quantities left of Sieglinde, Annabelle and Inova. The season started well with good prices that remained constant throughout harvesting. The ideal environmental condition and high professionalism of producers enabled us to reach an excellent quality," explains Enzo Manni, sales manager for the Acli Racale cooperative.

"New potatoes are always the favourite when they arrive on the market and, this year, the drop in cultivated areas and lower yields due to the weather led to an even more positive situation for us."Acli Racale exports 95% of its harvest mainly to Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. The produce did not reach Eastern Europe due to the higher prices. "Currently, 15 and 25 kg jute bags and 12.5 kg wooden and cardboard crates are the most popular, although we can also pack them in vertbags and nets.""This year, we started with the first quantities of organic potatoes and we wish to increase the production next year because they are getting popular, especially abroad. We are also waiting to obtain the PDO mark, which should arrive in 2016."Contacts:Soc. Agr. Coop. ACLI - RacaleEnzo ManniVia Provinciale Racale - Ugento km 1,173055 Racale (LE)Tel./Fax: (+39) 0833 583484 - 0833 551848Email: acliracale@tiscalinet.itWeb: www.acliracale.it