On July 21 the first growers started to harvest a season of potatoes with protected geographical designation, La Patata di Bologna DOP. This was confirmed by Alberto Zambon, president of the Consorzio di Tutela Patata di Bologna Dop.
"We are at the start of the season and the harvest has started in the areas that are known to be ripe early. Within 7 days 30-50% of the growers will start to harvest and within 10 to 12 days this will be 100% if the weather permits," says the president.
It's still too early to talk about numbers but it seems the quality is good. "The past season was very good and the figures were satisfying. This might be why the area of geographically designated cultivation has grown by 5-6%," says the president.
The expected potato variety is the Primura. In 2017 the surface on which this potato was grown was 336 hectares and the yield amounted to 11 thousand tonnes. The target for 2018 is 20% more yield and for 2020 they hope to double that.
In 2016 the turnover of the members of the consortium was around 5 million Euros. The potatoes are present on the Italian market and are sold via domestic retail: 30% under the the brand Patata di Bologna DOP, whilst the other 70% is sold as own brand.
Italy produces fewer potatoes than it needs. The consumption is around 2 million and the production is 1.4 million. Around 40% of the production is intended for the processing industry.
Contact:
Consorzio di tutela patata di Bologna DOP
via Tosarelli 155
40050 Villanova di Castenaso (BO)
Tel.: (+39) 051 7821709
Fax: (+39) 051 782356
Web: www.patatadibologna.it