Harvesting of Treviso red chicory delayed

The harvesting of Radicchio Rosso di Treviso Precoce Igp has been delayed. However "there is produce available on the market, which confuses consumers as it is not guaranteed by the PGI mark," warns Denis Susanna, director of the Consorzio di Tutela Radicchio Rosso di Treviso e Variegato di Castelfranco. 

Harvesting was delayed because of the weather and will start around 8th September in the Treviso, Padua and Venice provinces. "What is on sale at the moment is similar to our produce but is not certified and does not comply with our same strict specifications."



The season is looking good both in terms of quality and volumes. The produce is quite appealing as heads are compact and have the perfect colour. The good quality is also due to the difference in temperatures from day to night.

Radicchio Rosso di Treviso Igp e Variegato di Castelfranco Igp producers are focusing on quality to obtain higher prices. Things have not gone so well during the past season, but growers are confident customers will notice the difference.

"This theory has been confirmed also by the fact that more and more producers have decided to work with our brand, so much so that quantities have increased by 80%. Complying with the specifications is more expensive, yields are lower and there are higher management costs. However, origin and quality are guaranteed and distributors are becoming more and more aware of it."


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Consortium President Paolo Manzan explained that "harvesting has been delayed but organoleptic qualities are looking good and wholesale prices are around €2/kg."

The early variety is grown with a different cultivation technique to the late one and has a more oblong shape with larger ribs.

Around 120 growers are part of the Consortium and fresh-cut companies and packagers are increasingly interested in the produce. "And let us not forget that seeds are sourced locally too so traceability is guaranteed."