According to a producer from Calabria, yields should be similar to last year's, maybe something less. "In the Sibari plain, there was a slight increase in cultivated areas which are increasingly dedicated to specific cultivars such as Hernandina, Caffin e Clemenrubi."
Producers are worried about the lower prices, especially since production costs increase every year. "I don't believe the Russian ban is the main problem - the drop in prices is due to the fact that consumers earn increasingly less and don't have enough money to buy citrus fruit. They now tend to buy 1 or 2 bags at €0.60 each."
Destination markets are mainly supermarkets in Northern Italy and markets in Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. "We only export very little produce compared to Spain, but we are growing in Continental Europe."
"We must not feel intimidated by the Spanish campaign because on 20th September there will be many other fruits at acceptable prices."