In 2016, Gerlando, a doctor, decided to take care of 7 hectares of land that he inherited from his father. The desire to breathe new life into unused land and a winning entrepreneurial idea gave birth to the Fiorica olive grove.
What at first seemed like a small project soon became a success exceeding all expectations.
As early as 2018, only two years after the company was founded, Gerlando’s oil made into the prestigious Flos Olei guide, the collection of the best extra virgin olive oils in the world. It is a great achievement for the doctor and entrepreneur and a confirmation of his choice to prioritize quality at all costs.
The company rapidly grew from 7 to 25 hectares of land, increasing its production capacity and opening up to new opportunities.
Currently, annual production ranges between 10,000 and 12,000 liters.
The produced oil is stored in silos and preserved with nitrogen, ensuring that all its organoleptic and taste properties remain intact. The product is bottled on demand, and consumers can choose from various packaging options, including cans, bottles, and drums. But there is more. There is a wide range of customization options, including of personalised labels.
Currently, Olio Fiorica primarily focuses on the Italian market. Its reputation has crossed national borders, generating interest from foreign countries such as Germany, Belgium, and the United States.
Across the ocean, as we know, animal fats are used the most, but this is undoubtedly an unhealthy choice. Extra virgin olive oil represents a solution that guarantees quality and nutritional properties capable of meeting the needs of a clientele increasingly conscious of what they eat.
Fiorica’s objective is now to increase its production capacity and enter the international market with determination. The company has plans to build its own olive mill, aiming to close the oil production chain and ensure total control over the quality of the end product.
The olive oil is organically certified, guaranteeing its high quality and genuineness, which result from a series of checks required to comply with rigorous standards. These checks and certification are a guarantee for consumers but also make the entire production process more complex and costly. Organic farming and production means using products that are still considered niche, with special certifications that come at a higher cost compared to more common chemicals.
As often happens with Made in Sicily businesses, passion, commitment, and determination make it possible for a product with a centuries-old history to evolve and improve over time. Fiorica is now the story of an all-Sicilian business success, a jewel that has been able to look beyond the limitations that an island often imposes, transforming an entrepreneurial idea into a virtuous reality with a bright future of growth.
