Transplants of winter vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli and fennel) have started in early August in southern Italy and will end in September. Last year was not a good one for cauliflower except for the last period, when quotations were high and demand was excessive compared to the low supplies available. FreshPlaza talked to a nursery gardener about trends for the next campaign.
"This year there seems to be a higher demand for early broccoli and cauliflower, especially in Puglia (+15%), while fewer hectares have been planted in Campania," reports Cosimo Lepore, sales manager of Vivai Cecere Luigi di Airola, in the Benevento province.
"Things are different when it comes to fennel: orders have dropped slightly especially in the Foggia area due to the considerable problems caused by drought and to a not particularly brilliant 2019 campaign.Transplants are proceeding in both Campania and Puglia, and will start in Basilicata this week as well."