What is certain is, as Italy only produces 5% of European potatoes, it will have a little say on the prices. For this reason, the Russian ban should not affect the domestic market too much.
"What's positive is that all the campaigns we carried out promoting the domestic produce are finally paying off. People now prefer to spend a little more and buy Italian potatoes."
Photo taken at Genoa's Eataly - a perfect example of how to promote Italian potatoes by managing it as a niche produce.
It is the big processing companies that dictate law in Europe: "they handle millions of tons so whatever variety or procurement area they choose has a huge impact. For example, they could consider some produce not suitable for processing or look for new suppliers. In both cases, the effect on prices will be considerable."
Modern processing plant in Northern Europe.
Harvesting in Italy is late
As regards the domestic situation, Domenico Citterio talks about the delay with which harvesting was carried out in Northern Italy. "In some areas they finished in week 37, two months late. This was caused by the rainy weather and clayey soil and resulted in the fact that 30% of the produce is not suitable to be sold, as many tubers are deformed or too dark."
Quality problems for potatoes harvested in the Padan plain.
According to Citterio, the Fucino plain area could be doing better, "as there should be less quality problems".
Contacts:
Domenico Citterio & C. Srl
Via delll'Industria, 1/b
37036 S. Martino B.A. (VR) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 045 8780144
Fax: (+39) 045 8780311
Email: info@citteriopatate.it
Web: www.citteriopatate.it