After a week of bad weather, the upper Viterbo area, part of the Lazio region, finally seems to be taking a turn for the better. "The weather is good now. We have completed about 85% of the sowing for the 'Alto Viterbese PGI Potato' (Patata dell'Alto Viterbese Igp) and only have a few days left to complete the last part. We hope to finish everything this week," says Mirko Giuliani, agronomist for the Italian consortium Consorzio Cooperativo Ortofrutticolo Alto Viterbese (CCORAV), taking stock of the current campaign: "Planting is in line with expectations, young people are returning to the fields, and there are encouraging signs from the market."
The calendar was followed strictly, with the primary planting period occurring between 5 April and 13 April, corresponding to the exact phase of previous years. It generally runs from the end of March to the first ten days of April," Giuliani points out.
Over the past three years, the cultivated area has remained stable, maintaining a consistent range of 360 to 370 hectares dedicated to potato production. The true indicator of a sector's evolution, however, lies in the generational shift. "We are witnessing a resurgence of young professionals stepping into leadership roles within their family companies," says the agronomist. This is a significant change, as it indicates a high expectation for the future of the sector."
Campaign 2024/25: Sales are regular, but consumption is increasingly fragmented
The 2024/25 season, which typically starts at the beginning of August, is drawing to a close. Giuliani has confirmed regular sales of this product: "The market has seen a modest slowdown, but we are committed to ensuring that we place all our products by the end of April, as we have successfully done so in previous years.
In terms of volume, CCORAV handled approximately 15,000 tons of product. "This outcome aligns with trends from previous years," says Giuliani, "though we are observing a shift in consumption patterns where families are opting for smaller packages, ranging from 1.5 to 2 kilograms. Large formats, once a staple, are now being phased out."
PGI is on the rise, and the domestic market as the main point of reference
The PGI potato segment is growing compared to last year. Certification helps," says the agronomist. "It gives the product added value and recognition. Sales of the PGI product have increased and are an important lever for competitiveness," he further explains.
"We have achieved almost 100% of the PGI potatoes processed with the dry brushing system. This is a technique that does not use water but uses special brushes to clean the product gently and effectively. Thanks to the natural softness of our soils, the potato is harvested in a very clean state, with no soil residue, which allows us to avoid the traditional washing process," continues Giuliani. This choice guarantees a series of advantages: The potatoes retain their natural characteristics better, they have a longer shelf life, and, above all, there is a significant saving in water. This is also a fundamental aspect from an environmental point of view, in which we are investing heavily in both technology and communication. Dry brushing is an added value of our PGI product, which combines quality, innovation, and sustainability."
At the moment, all production is intended for the Italian market, with a strong presence in the large-scale organized distribution sector. "We are not currently present on foreign markets, but we are carefully monitoring the increase in imports of foreign products, which could be a challenge for our sector in the near future," says Giuliani. "As for domestic competition, the agronomist is unequivocal: "In Italy, we produce fewer potatoes than we consume, so there is room for everyone. Italian producers are not really at odds with each other."
Agronomic issues "Our biggest concerns are field-related. The real enemies of the potato are elaterids, Cyperus, and above all, the gradual reduction in the number of approved crop protection products," says Giuliani. "If this continues, it will be increasingly difficult to guarantee quality and production yields."
"However, CCORAV is not resting on its laurels and is considering collaborating with universities to find new approaches. We have started a collaboration with the University of Tuscia to study new strategies," concludes Giuliani, "but it is difficult, also because of the complexity of the dialogue with the European institutions. Every year, the restrictions increase, and we need concrete and sustainable solutions."
Photos provided by Mirko Giuliani
For more information: www.ccorav.it