The BioTropic project manager in Italy, Doris Thewes, commends the current Italian table-grape harvest. She says: “The grapes are very pretty and sweet this year” No wonder: this year's Italian summer was hot, with little rain and an extra dose of sun – this benefits the vines. The brix-value (sugar content) will then develop especially well, and the grapes will optimally ripen.
Italy is one of the main grape cultivation areas in Europe. One of BioTropic GmbH's main suppliers is the cooperative ABA Mediterranea. It consists of over 20 small family companies in Apulien and Basilikata, at Italy's boot heel. They have long-standing experience with organic products, and BioTropic has been working with the managing directors for over 10 years already.
The fruity berries are harvested there from mid-June until the end of October. The main harvests take place in August and September: from the red-glowing Red Globe to the white, juicy Italia. Beside that there are seedless white and blue types such as Regal and Crimson. Everyone will certainly find a favourite type amongst those.
Grapes do not post-ripen and thus only the ripe table grapes are pinched off and carefully put into prepared containers. In this season, the cooperative offers the grapes in so-called carrybags for the first time. These are small carry pouches which fit one bunch of grapes. Thus the customer can easily take a pouch, without the risk of picking apart the delicate berries.
Many other types of fruit and vegetables are also cultivated on the cooperative's organic cultivation fields: cauliflower, fennel, chard, spices, melons, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, peaches and apricots are some examples. Thus the producers guarantee employment and market presence
