Italy: Bad year for fennel

"In January, we only commercialised half of what we expected. The weather in southern Italy killed us and the year is compromised," reported Marco Babbi from Caligari&Babbi in Savignano sul Rubicone (Forlì-Cesena).

"Over 50% of the produce was destroyed by the frost, snow, wind and rain. In Basilicata, 20 hectares were destroyed by a hailstorm. There are very small quantities of fennel left and quality is not always excellent."

What is sold by retailers has higher prices than usual, around €3 per kg against the usual €2 average. "Nobody is making a profit. There is very little produce and there is no speculation. The way things are at the moment, the price should be €4. Only those producers who managed to save some produce are making some money, but it actually compensates for other disappointing seasons."

"Plants are damaged, even the ones that should start producing later on. Frost compromised part of our future production. I think the later varieties will produce 30% less."

Caligari&Babbi will be in Berlin as a visitor to meet many of its foreign clients.

Contacts:
Caligari & Babbi srl
Via E. Bevilacqua, 17
Savignano su Rubicone (FC)
Tel.: (+39) 0541 942599
Fax: (+39) 0541 201919
Email: commerciale@ortofruttacaligari.com
Web: www.finocchioitaliano.com