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Published on June 27, 2024 in Fresh Plaza

"Seedless, robust and suitable for long hauls"

ARRA Varieties was recently featured on Fresh Plaza Magazine. Click here to view the original article.

“The high consumer acceptance of seedless grapes is now a fact; last week we started the first releases of the ARRA Sugar Drop™ variety (ARRA 30), the grapes look homogeneous and tasty because they are harvested only when they have reached perfect ripeness. In fact, we are aware that the markets recognize our efforts in terms of selection, taste and quality. The specialization in this field, supported by experienced agronomists, also allows us to produce a wide basket of fine grapes, using techniques that are respectful of the environment and have a low environmental impact,” says Sammy Fisicaro, President of OPI Sicula, founded 10 years ago and based in Mazzarrone (CT).

The cooperative was born from the will of several farms operating in eastern Sicily to stand out, through aggregation and networking, in an increasingly large and competitive market. Born from the spontaneous initiative of the producers themselves, the organization now has 84 members, of which 70 are companies and 14 are agricultural producers, who together manage a cultivated area of about 745 hectares. Among the members there are many companies located in the area of the PGI Mazzarrone Table Grape, with certifications and modern facilities that guarantee a sustainable production. OPI Sicula is a bottom-up participatory model and the union of the different skills and life and professional experience of all the producers are the hallmarks of this cooperative.

ARRA Sugar Drop™

The seedless variety ARRA Sugar Drop is becoming widely established in large-scale distribution organizations and markets, with demand growing steadily. Currently, more than 2,000 hectares of ARRA have been licensed by AVI throughout Europe, with Italy being the country with the largest area and ARRA30 being the most widely grown variety. Much of the supply chain claims that this grape can be a worthy newcomer to Victoria. Among its characteristics are greater consistency of the berry, which is firm and crisp, as well as new flavors that appeal to the palates of discerning consumers looking for flavors ranging from fruity to tropical to exotic.

He says very early varieties are not only beneficial for the grower, because of their early arrival in the markets, but also for being sustainable due to their short growing cycle. Short cycles are translated to economic efficiency, consuming less water, pesticides, fertilizers, and labor. Shorter growing cycles are helping to secure the crop, as it minimizes the risk of exposure to unexpected heat waves or unexpected rain.

“Sicily is extremely interesting for the entire grape sector because it manages to reach the markets very early. The ARRA30 variety is on the market from the end of May to the end of September. Nowadays, areas specializing in grape production, such as Mazzarrone, are tending towards early seedless varieties. The market certainly demands them also for their remarkable taste characteristics. From a more specific production point of view, these are varieties that are resistant to phytopathologies and to the increasingly frequent climatic stresses, and therefore do not require any particular agronomic intervention during the delicate production phases.”

ARRA Sugar Drop harvested in Sicily.

“Large-scale retailers,” concludes Semmy Fisicaro, “especially foreigners, are inclined to buy seedless grapes because consumers in Italy and abroad are responding well to this innovation, which is also on the rise thanks to the greater firmness of the berry, which makes it highly suitable for long-distance transportation. Thanks to the experience gained from its traditional specialization in the production of table grapes, Sicily can play a leading role in this field. Of course, there are also climatic challenges, including drought and excessive humidity, which have continued to test our expertise in this area.”

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