Italy: 60% of normal volume of perishable products delivered

Serious losses are recorded by Confagricoltura in the retail sector due to a truck drivers' strike. It is estimated that nationally around 60% of the average normal volume of perishable products, such as meat, fruit and vegetables and cheeses, is currently being delivered to big retail outlets.

In other words, there is a decrease of 40% due to logistical complications at the moment. Farmers cannot transfer their production to markets and companies, and in many cases, to storage areas equipped with refrigerated cells.

Lost sales and lost profits have a direct impact on farms; production is wasting away with serious implications for disposal costs.

Moreover, because of this situation, many activities undertaking seasonal labour are suspended, as well as most harvest operations. This has serious repercussions on workers: Confagricoltura estimates that since the beginning of the truck drivers' block, the total loss exceeds 500,000 working days, amounting to EUR 30 million of salary, more than EUR 3 million a day.