Roberto Bortolotti from Agribologna
We visited Caab Centro agro-alimentare di Bologna on 6th July and met with Roberto Bortolotti, vegetable expert for Agribologna.
"Lettuce is recovering and I believe it will improve in the next few days. Volumes are not as abundant and the hot temperatures favour consumption."
Bortolotti explained that most of the vegetables currently available come from Emilia Romagna. Some things comes from Fondi but purchases from Puglia are ending.
Round aubergines represent 70% of the entire aubergine market
Bortolotti explained that most of the vegetables currently available come from Emilia Romagna. Some things comes from Fondi but purchases from Puglia are ending.
Round aubergines represent 70% of the entire aubergine market
"Aubergines are currently selling at €0.60-0.70/kg. Cucumbers are doing well and sell at €1/kg. Brassicas are improving and are quoted at approximately €0.50-0.60/kg."
Bortolotti has also always believed in courgette flowers. Their price may vary depending on demand, but they currently sell at €1 per tray and demand is good.
Courgette flowers in trays
Bortolotti is a true expert for everything that regards the fresh produce market. For example, he says people talk a lot about the concentration of retailers but should look also at their multiplication. Years ago, there were only a couple of supermarkets in a medium-sized city while now there are many and they are all focusing on offering cheaper prices rather than the best quality.
"I believe consumption has increased, but production increased more, that's why it's difficult to obtain fair margins."