According to Cepa president Massimo Cristiani, who is also a producer from Bologna cultivating 8 hectares, the potato campaign has started rather well this year with non excessive quantities, good quality, good yields and satisfactory prices.
"The way we are organised in Emilia Romagna truly helps us achieve the best. Let's not forget that Italy produces around 50% of domestic requirements and the domestic produce should be promoted better. High-quality should always achieve higher prices but it's not always so. Emilia Romagna's production chain is the best, as it managed to achieve an average of 19-21 eurocents even in a bad year such as the last one. This year, we've already started at 27 eurocents."
Quality is very good, with only a few damaged by wireworms where producers didn't manage to intervene in advance.
"I obtained around 45-50 tons per hectare. Quality is more than satisfactory and there should be no storage problems. I am very pleased because sowing had been delayed by almost a month in spring due to the bad weather."
"The produce must be promoted in order to maintain the market. In Emilia Romagna, we promote Pdo and Selenella potatoes as well as the entire chain. This is made possible thanks to the organisation and the brand."