In a recent statement, Luca Lanzalaco of La Cooperativa L’Ortofrutticola di Albenga expressed the cooperative’s enthusiasm for expanding their export markets. As one of Liguria’s largest cooperatives, boasting around 600 member farms, L’Ortofrutticola di Albenga specializes in offering potted plants (both aromatic and floral), fruit, and vegetables. Leveraging the unique environmental conditions of the Albenga Plain, the cooperative has positioned itself to supply its products earlier in the season compared to growers in many other countries.
During the Myplant & Garden event held last week, L’Ortofrutticola di Albenga revealed plans for the imminent launch of a new Business-to-Business (B2B) eCommerce platform. This strategic move aims to streamline and enhance business relations with their international clientele.
Climate Conditions Favoring Specialty Plants
Lanzalaco emphasized the exceptional climatic conditions in the Albenga Plain, attributing them to the area’s stability, protection from mountains, and refreshing sea air. These factors contribute to the uniqueness of their products, with plants showing resilience, fewer diseases, and insects. Additionally, the cooperative benefits from the favorable weather conditions that enable growers to complete plant cycles earlier than in other regions of Italy. Renowned for their aromatic herbs, including rosemary, thyme, marjoram, sage, and PDO basil, these plants have gained recognition both domestically and abroad.
The cooperative’s commitment to sustainable practices is evident through cultivation adhering to low environmental impact regulations, with some products bearing certifications like BIO and GlobalGAP (Good Agricultural Practice).
Impressive Throughput and Logistics Efficiency
Processing approximately 5,000,000 plants annually, L’Ortofrutticola di Albenga manages a well-equipped warehouse spanning 3000 square meters. The warehouse efficiently handles the packaging of plants in trolleys, pallets, or cartons, accommodating the diverse needs of their customers, including distributors, wholesalers, large-scale retail trade, and large retail gardens. With a logistics area featuring seven loading gates, the cooperative ensures the swift movement of lorries, benefiting from the proximity of their headquarters to the motorway, facilitating quick access to key transportation routes across Italy and Europe.
Eager Expansion into Northern Europe and Beyond
The cooperative has experienced a steady rise in demand over the years, particularly from Northern European markets. In response to this growing interest, L’Ortofrutticola di Albenga is poised to launch a B2B eCommerce portal in 2024, marking a pivotal moment in their digital transition. This platform aims to empower customers to independently manage their supplies with enhanced flexibility and simplicity, thereby facilitating an even broader reach into global markets.
As the cooperative embraces digital transformation, it stands at the forefront of innovation in the agricultural sector, poised to strengthen its position as a key player in the international trade of potted plants and produce.