It's not a good year for peppers as the campaign started late and there is little produce available, due to the drop in cultivated areas. What is more, the market situation is not meeting expectations. However, an expert reported that prices should improve.
(Archive photo)
"Growers are worried because it's an expensive crop and there is an increasing risk of it being affected by diseases. The genetic material found today on the market works in the case of standard situations, but there are no warranties in case of disease or viruses."
"The Tomato Spot Wilt Virus (TSWV) is spreading, as well as bacteriosis in open fields. Industries continue to maintain stable prices without increasing them and the weather is more and more unstable. Another limiting factor is the restriction on the use of crop defence products."
Greenhouse crop in Campania. (Archive photo)
"Pepper crops must be managed professionally and suitable soil is essential."
The only positive thing is that the reduction in crops, leading of course to lower yields, means that the price will inevitably increase. "But this doesn't affect just Italy, as the same is happening in Spain, Portugal and Middle Eastern countries."
Italy, in any case, continues to be an importer country, especially from Spain (Lamuyo and Blocky) and the Netherlands (Blocky). "Because of the general drop in productions, there have been contacts with Portugal, where open field productions are increasingly mechanised. What is more, there is the risk for Italy to become a target for countries like Turkey."
"Everybody wants to access the European market. There are 400 million consumers and profits are good."