Early November registered the umpteenth consequence of a climate no longer in line with the Italian latitude as a flood hit Tuscany. "This means we need to rethink the territory based on a climate that causes unprecedented disastrous effects," reports the Lusia fresh produce market (RO).
The Lusia area has not been affected by these kinds of calamities so far, as the weather has been mild with alternating rain and sun, so much so that almost all of the produce has been harvested. There is just a slight 4% drop compared with November 2022, with 2,068 tons handled in total at an average market price of €0.86/kg, i.e. 36% higher than in 2022.
Analyzing the main products in detail, it is possible to see a good increase in the price of garlic which, in November, exceeded the average price of November 2022 by 30%, just like during the previous month. Garlic in bunches reached €4.23/kg (+22%), while braids sold at €4.39/kg (+34%). Demand was lower for all types.
Swiss chard quotations remained stable at €0.60/kg (+15%) despite an 8% lack in production, with 77 tons handled.
The price of carrots with leaves increased compared with the previous month, as they sold at €1.25/kg (+16%). Carrots without leaves remained stable at €0.46/kg. Supplies of the latter increased with 30 tons handled, while the quantities of those with leaves remained substantially stable with 199 tons sold.
The 95 tons of puntarella (+2% than November 2022) saw a drop in prices at €0.48/kg (-2%) compared with last year.
Cauliflowers confirmed expectations with considerable price increases, as the average price tripled at €1.51/kg. Quantities sold dropped with 41 tons handled (-60%).
Cabbages also did well. Cuor di bue cabbage registered €0.74/kg (+94%), green cabbage reached €0.40/kg and Savoy cabbage saw a 10% increase reaching €0.44/kg. Almost all varieties saw an increase in quantities except for Cuor di bue with 114 tons instead of the 155 of November 2022.
There was a 7% increase in the quantity of fennel with 42 tons and a 68% increase in the average price with €1.11/kg.
The entire lettuce segment registered extremely good quotations. Trocadero lettuce reached €2/kg, doubling the price of 2022. Gentile is sold at €1.90/kg on average against the €0.57/kg of last year. Oakleaf lettuce also doubled its value in November 2022 with €2.20/kg, while Romaine lettuce reached €0.90/kg (+47%). All varieties saw a decrease in the quantities sold except for gentile at 77 tons (+%).
The price of leeks also increased with an average price of €0.95/kg (+23%), though there was a drop in the volumes sold at 132 tons (-14%).
The only 8 tons of parsley sold (-52%) saw a good price increase at €1.27/kg (+22%).
Good demand for radicchio, with prices that increased for all types. Red round radicchio sold at €0.66/kg (+17%), red oblong radicchio sold at €0.89/kg (+43%) and variegato, with the 15 tons handled against the 4 of November 2022, sold at €1.28/kg (+23%). Variegato di Lusia reached €1.21/kg (+32%).
The 182 tons of green celery sold saw a 5% price increase compared with November 2022, reaching €0.57/kg.
The quantities of pumpkins increased throughout the month, with 32 tons handled of the delica variety at €0.87/kg (+12%), while butternut squash reached €0.62/kg (+58%).
Spinach quantities increased with 27 tons instead of the 16 of November 2022, sold at an average price of €1.55/kg, i.e. double that of last year.
The lower quantities of zucchini available saw a good price increase reaching €1.85/kg (+34%).
Last but not least, fruit. There were larger quantities of oranges available, with the 8 tons selling at €1.19/kg (+41%). The lower volumes of apples reached €1.23/kg (+80%) while kiwifruit reached €1.23/kg (+80%).