"The shutdown of both local and open-air markets has significantly reduced the demand for fruit and vegetables. To date, the chain of users at our Ortomercato is reduced to wholesalers in the nearby provinces, shops, discount stores and logistics platforms that distribute to several supermarkets."
This was reported by Salvatore Musso of Masterfruit Srl, operating at the Milan horticultural market, who added: "From the beginning of the emergency until today we have lost, day after day, 50% of our turnover. The situation is currently not encouraging, but we are confident that this emergency may end and the recovery will begin as soon as possible."
It should be mentioned that the Milan market is, in terms of volumes handled, the largest in Italy with over one million tons being moved per year. The closure of schools, canteens and practically the entire HoReCa network is severely limiting the quantities sold.
In order to reassure all the customers of the Ortomercato di Milano, but also to reiterate that it is necessary to comply strictly with the rules, the board of directors, and more specifically upon the initiative of councillor Bruno Barcella of the company Salvi, has published and distributed a letter with some recommendations. The full text is set out below.
"Given the state of emergency that our country, but not only ours, is facing, and because of which it is not possible to forecast a deadline, as unanimously urged by doctors and infectious experts and widely broadcast by all the media, it is increasingly urgent to reduce to the minimum all situations of direct interaction between people, even among relatives."
"Taking into account the vital importance of the food supply chain - and even more so in this period - it is our obligation to pursue the maximum protection of our people, our companies and our environment and this can only be achieved if you add your effective commitment to our efforts.
The wholesalers operating in the Ortomercato di Milano are consequently sensitizing all customers to respect two, simple, but important rules:
- A preference in placing orders by using the most common means of remote communication (telephone, fax, email, Whatsapp, etc.).
- Wait for the goods to be delivered to your vehicle. At the same time, we reiterate our recommendation to comply more strictly with the basic rules suggested by the various decrees regarding interpersonal distance, the adoption of protective devices (masks and gloves) and the prohibition of grouping.
All the above - it is to be repeated - are of common interest for the protection and safety of your and our people and activities related to the agri-food sector."
Among other matters, in recent days, an operator was hospitalized in intensive therapy and, fortunately, two days ago it was reported that his health has improved and he is now breathing on his own. "We wish him and the whole family a full recovery and would like to encourage them to face this difficult time with strength and tenacity" concluded Musso.