"It is no one's fault and there is no speculation - the price trend of endive, chicory, sugarloaf and other lettuce is due to the demand/supply ratio. This year, supply was affected by the weather, which caused many phytosanitary problems," explains a technician as regards the current productive gap.
Italian lettuce production is usually centred in autumn, and the Fucino area is the only one (except for Romagna) that grows it in May, June and July.
"I am only harvesting 30% of the volumes usually available. The red chicory that was ready in Chioggia in July was completely destroyed by a tornado. Prices rose quickly beyond €2-2.50/kg, and we are talking about heads that are half the size of what they usually are and about quantities that do not meet demand."
Diseased plants on field.
A producer from Romagna adds that "the extreme summer weather caused great damage. We have started to harvest slowly, though."
An agronomist from Marche explains that "we are still transplanting so we won't be available on the market until late September, early October. The problem in the Fucino area was caused by the hot weather which, combined with irrigation, created the ideal conditions for an exceptional proliferation of thrips."
Disease in the fields.
More specifically, the harvesting was compromised by the LMV and TSWV viruses, which spread also due to the geographical conformation of the plain.
The fresh-cut sector is also facing difficulties. "Trying to find produce abroad is not easy and is not something you can improvise with. There are detailed specifications that must be complied with and foreign producers might not follow our same procedures and standards. I do not remember a similar situation in the past," explains an operator.
Viruses on red chicory.
Italia Ortofrutta commented by saying that "many POs have been complaining about the productive gap for weeks. We are talking about an exceptional phenomenon that highlights the frailty of the Italian productions against climate change. The situation is so serious that we are expecting the gap to last for four weeks, practically the entire month of September."
"We ask all operators to remain calm. Some may think this is a speculative phenomenon, but it is not. When the produce is not harvested, there is no way to make money even if prices are high. We are all in the same boat."
The Unaproa union also stresses that "we felt the need to warn the market. Then we will have to take measures to adapt to climate change, because we can no longer ignore it."
For the time being, we will just need to deal with the fact that there is no lettuce at the moment.
Author: Rossella Gigli
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it