The new limitations imposed by the Government to counter the spreading of Covid-19 are affecting not only thousands of restaurants and similar activities, but also suppliers as orders are cancelled.
"King trumpet mushrooms are definitely being affected, as demand dropped and quotations went from €5.50-6.00/kg to €3.80/kg, so much so that we have decided not to produce them," reports a producer from Basilicata growing Pleurotus eryngii.
"When businesses could stay opened, we managed to sell over 400-500 kg of produce to the different regional and interregional restaurant services. But, with everything closing at 6 pm, demand dropped by around 80%. Now, with the fact that only takeaway is allowed and with the curfew at 10 pm, orders have just stopped. Although takeaways and home deliveries are still allowed, king trumpet mushroom dishes are not the favorite."
"We live in uncertain times and the situation will not change over the next few weeks. This is an important period for mushrooms sales as the Christmas season is upon us. We will not plant any more until the end of November also because volumes tend to increase with the current temperatures above the seasonal average and demand is non-existent."