Quality comes from local productions, which can reach the whole world if managed professionally. This is one of the many concepts discussed during the convention that Sipo organized at its stand during Macfrut. Various national experts also discussed how big retail chains are often blamed for all sorts of problems, when actually most sales occur through them.
A moment during the convention
"We care a lot about promoting the territory, so we work with the suppliers closer to the cooperative. Our shelves are currently filled with around 100 local products from Emilia-Romagna and, more generally, we always try to favor productions that are closer to us," explained Coop Alleanza 3.0 buyer Mirko Borsari."
How to choose the moment went to pass from Italian to foreign produce and vice-versa? "We need to guarantee continuous supplies in our supermarkets. We buy produce from abroad only when the Italian one is lacking."
Group photo of the speakers
Moderated by FreshPlaza journalist Cristiano Riciputi, the convention was attended by over 60 buyers, producers, technicians and operators as well as many curious visitors and passers-by. The event was filmed by Teleromagna.
Massimiliano Ceccarini with Giampaolo Ferri
Consultant Giampaolo Ferri also confirmed an increase in the demand for local produce and domestic products more in general. "We need to keep working on the local origin of products, working along the entire chain as a team from production to distribution. I also do not agree with those who are always attacking big retail chains: of course supermarkets are businesses that need to make a profit, but the objective is to sell more and remunerate producers fairly as, without them, there would be none of that 'Italianity' we are speaking of."
The audience at the convention
Carlo Carli, president of provincial Confagricoltura, stressed how the fresh produce segment is one of the most relevant in Romagna, appreciated both in Italy and abroad. "It's important to receive a concrete incentive by institutions to support the entire sector, as it is necessary to increase productivity and relaunch competitiveness. Big retail chains must anyway focus more on domestic produce, as they often favor the foreign one due to its lower prices."
Massimiliano Ceccarini with two collaborators at the stand
Valtiero Mazzotti, manager of the Emilia Romagna agricultural sector, reminded everyone how local products are characterized by designations of origin - a tool created in 1992 precisely to defend agricultural intellectual property and which obtained excellent results in the fresh produce sector. "Designations of origin are easily identifiable by consumers and provide a guarantee of quality and checks."
When it comes to communication, social media manager Simona Riccio stressed the importance of stores. "To make consumers more aware of what they purchase, we need to link distribution with producers, highlighting the value of produce through the right communication on the shelves."
Part of the Sipo team at the fair
Sipo CEO Massimiliano Ceccarini underlined that the products commercialized by his company are characterized by a distinct seasonality with a production calendar that covers the whole year. "Certifications on the traceability of products and production plans to preserve the integrity of the produce and food safety are also important to promote productions."
Filippo Giorgetti, Mayor of Bellaria Igea Marina (Rimini), the municipality where Sipo is located, confirmed the attention local institutions pay to companies. "Not only does Sipo have a positive occupational and entrepreneurial position on the territory, but it also provides information on dietary education and the seasonality of productions involving schools and the younger generations."
Massimiliano and Simona Ceccarini
Everything ended with an aperitif and some music, also thanks to sponsors Bimi, Etichettificio Vignoli, Nespak, azienda agricola Dellanoce Matteo - Podere Malugio, Montaia Wines.
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