"The domestic market is heavy and we work very little abroad. I think that lettuce consumption has actually decreased over the past few years. We grow Gentile lettuce on approximately 70 hectares for 9 months a year, both in open fields and protected crops. The higher temperatures should diminish quantities, which I hope will push prices up."
Cimarosti reports selling a few pallets to Austria, Germany and Switzerland, but these countries tend to grow their own produce for the most part. In Switzerland, in particular, not even one foreign lettuce head is allowed when there is local produce available. "Just like in Italy," jokes Cimarosti with a hint of sarcasm.
Wholesale prices have been rather low at €0.40-0.90/kg for the packaged produce. This means that producers do not receive a fair remuneration.
Gabriele Bruschi, who owns 85 hectares in San Mauro Pascoli (Forlì-Cesena), also said that "Prices are too low. We currently have endive, trocadero, sugarloaf and celery, but we fight all the time just to be able to cover our costs. People seem to be less inclined to buying vegetables. I would like to understand what people talking about when they say there is an increase in consumption, and find out where they are getting their data."