Luca Braia, regional councillor for Agricultural and Forestry Policies, has announced that the Chinese government has authorised the import of citrus fruit and kiwis from Basilicata.
"We managed to achieve such a great result thanks to the cooperation of our producers and of the Phytosanitary office managed by Ermanno Pennacchio. It will definitely be a positive thing for the 2015-2016 campaign as, so far, prices have been rather low and the market has been slow. The agricultural sector can continue to be strategic for our region, as exports towards Germany and China can support it."
"At the latest meeting between the AssoFruit Italia PO and Chinese experts, I could witness how Asian technicians examined the capability of the Regional office to guarantee phytosanitary checks and I saw the care AssoFruit Italia and Fortunato put into processing the produce. This recognition is a testimony to the growth of our quality agriculture from an organisational and productive point of view."
The relationship between the Region and the Italy China Friendship Association (Icfa) has deepened in the past few months and various delegations of Chinese entrepreneurs have visited Basilicata as part of the "Da Expo ai Territori" programme.
The authorisation is part of the initial phase of the PSR Basilicata 2014-2020 and of the new rural development starting in February. "The time has come for companies to invest in segments that present solid commercial possibilities, though they also need to focus on producing high quality produce and concentrating their supply. The Region will continue to support the production, trade and processing chain also as part of the project concerning the Ferrandina platform, which will become the strategic base to open towards new markets."