The Spanish growers cooperation Murgiverde has been growing and trading Sweet Palermo since 2002. "An unsurpassed, tasty pointed pepper," says Manuel Galdeano. "Our customers keep asking for it. No other sweet peppers get into my house. My favourite recipe? Grilled Palermo from the oven with a dash of olive oil."
That sweet flavour is Sweet Palermo's absolute trademark. And this has to remain that way at all times, the president of the Spanish growers cooperation emphasises. "The strategy for success is simple in our eyes: only the best and sweetest peppers are allowed to fall under the Sweet Palermo brand. It conquered its current market status with this." And Murgiverde sees the share of Sweet Palermo growing in Spain and France. Galdeano: "I am convinced that consumers will chose this sweet pointed pepper en masse once they have tasted Sweet Palermo."
Mediterranean conditions
Besides the fine product quality, Galdeano praises the cultivation characteristics of the Sweet Palermo varieties. "We grow them on high wires with a two or three stalk system. The average production is considerably higher than with other pointed peppers and varieties are well suited to our Mediterranean conditions. Although they don't always have all resistance. This can be difficult in spring, when the disease pressure is high. But our growers are experts who also produce fine peppers in the summer months. This is important, as this is when the demand from Northern Europe increases. At the moment we are also testing a number of yellow varieties. I am also hearing good reports from our growers regarding them."
At the moment Murgiverde is working with Rijk Zwaan on a good cultivation plan for the Sweet Palermo variety. By tuning the seeding periods better, the cooperation hopes to prevent peaks and dips in production. "Rijk Zwaan has proven to be a reliable partner. They develop special products and supply high quality seeding material. We grow a large number of their varieties with pleasure."
