Italian fennel is becoming less and less a seasonal product

"Until a few years ago, fennel was consumed purely in winter and cultivation was also tailored to this. Nowadays, this is no longer the case and consumers demand it for practically twelve months a year," says Marco Babbi, commercial manager of the Italian company brand Finò. "We expected few sales in September and the first half of October due to the summer temperatures, but on the other hand there has been a continuous good demand for quality product, also abroad. From a cultivation point of view it has not been easy, but there are of course several varieties that allow us to maintain high quality even in difficult weather conditions." Babbi and his team confirm that consumption is significantly higher in points of sale where the fennel is well cared for and consumers receive information. "Fennel is primarily purchased with the eyes, which makes freshness an essential aspect. Product that looks 'tired' does not invite purchase." Vittorio Caligari (cultivation manager) and Marco ...