Import Alfa Alfa — Buy in Bulk from Supplier in Italy

Alfa Alfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial legume forage crop valued for its exceptional protein density and palatability in equine and livestock nutrition. Terre Di Papena supplies this product from Chiusdino in the province of Siena, Tuscany, where Mediterranean growing conditions favour dense nutrient accumulation. The hay typically exceeds 17% crude protein on a dry matter basis, with acid detergent fibre (ADF) around 30-35% and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in the 40-45% range, placing it in the premium grade for dairy and horse feed rations. The leaf-to-stem ratio is critical to quality; finer stems indicate an earlier cut with superior digestibility.

The material comprises dried, cured flowering plants of Medicago sativa, harvested at early bloom to maximise leaf retention and protein preservation. Standard grades distinguish between prime dairy hay, dairy-quality hay, and stock-grade hay based on colour, leaf shatter, and foreign matter content. Typical moisture at baling is 12-15%, with safe storage requiring below 14% to prevent mould and spontaneous combustion. The product is naturally high in calcium, vitamin A precursors, and vitamin E, though vitamin D content varies with sun-curing duration. Non-GMO and organic certifications are common in Italian production, reflecting the country's strong Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and organic farming traditions.

Buyers include thoroughbred racing stables, dairy cooperatives, and specialised livestock nutrition formulators who require consistent protein and fibre profiles for total mixed rations. The hay is typically supplied in 20-25 kg two-twine bales, 400-500 kg large square bales, or bulk loads for industrial feed mills. Importers should confirm whether the supplier offers pelleted or long-stem formats, as this affects storage density and feeding automation compatibility. Phytosanitary certificates, health certificates for export, and organic certification (where applicable) are standard documentation requirements for third-country imports into non-EU markets.

Terre Di Papena operates from Chiusdino, a municipality in the province of Siena, central Italy. The address places the supplier within the Tuscan agricultural heartland, a region with established forage and livestock farming traditions. The supplier holds an 'imported' tier classification and a 'harbor' trust tier, which indicates a basic marketplace presence without premium verification. The response rate is recorded at 0.00% with zero average response hours, suggesting that direct communication data is either absent or the supplier has not engaged with inbound enquiries through the platform's tracking systems.

The company profile does not disclose founding year, employee count, annual output, or specific farm hectarage. No certifications, cooperative memberships, or client references are listed in the source data. The product description positions Terre Di Papena as a source of organic, non-GMO forage from sustainable farming, though buyers should independently verify any organic certification claims against EU Regulation 2018/848 or equivalent standards. The listing's emphasis on ISO and SGS certifications in the source text appears to be generic marketplace language rather than supplier-specific documentation, and importers should request copies of actual certificates before contract commitment.