The domestic pear cultivation, and that of Emilia Romagna in particular, is once again going through a difficult period as quotations are not profitable and below production costs.
"Pear prices and advance payments made to producers are too low, below production costs even. This way, we risk compromising a strategic section for the regional fresh produce sector," reports Cristiano Fini, president of Cia-Agricoltori Italiani dell'Emilia Romagna".
Italy is in fact the second producer and the leading European producer of pears: over 35% of European quantities come from Italy (the old continent has been producing around 2.5 million tons over the past ten years) and from Emilia Romagna in particular - 61% of the orchards and 68% of the entire production are located in the Ferrara, Modena and Bologna provinces.
"Companies must face the difficulties caused by climate change and pathogens such as the brown marmorated stink bug and must also comply with the limitations on pest management products. Nonetheless, prices are not profitable! Producers made investments in equipment and new orchards and have set up organizations, but it may not be enough. We need to invest more on varietal research and, most of all, encourage aggregation on a commercial level, also in light of the Omnibus Decree facilitating the forming of groups to reach unexplored markets and improve the penetration of consolidated markets."
"We need to invest in this sector and call upon all actors to live up to their responsibilities, avoiding individualism."