"Currently the market situation for these products is very depressed. Initially, in October and November 2011, it was very hot and there was a considerable offer overlap. In particular, broccoli was harvested almost all at once, resulting in a price collapse," Argentieri says."Luckily it is cold now, but the problem of sale remains, because the markets are locked. We are in a period of crisis, consumers have no money and they prefer to buy half a kilo of broccoli than 3 kg. Sales are also a problem for artichokes," Argentieri continues.
"Compared to last year, the price of the artichoke has significantly decreased: from 20 cents to 12 cents this year. Of course, if you take into account processing, packaging and transport, the profit margin is always less than last year, because the cost of transport is higher.""Usually, in the period from January to March, there is a strong competition with Egyptian artichokes, but perhaps also because of political events in Egypt, the situation seems calm at the moment. The competition from Egypt is a serious problem because taking into account also the shipping, the Egyptian product arrives in our market at a lower price than that of our vegetables. There should be greater national control, because the same Italian traders mix the Italian product with the Egyptian one" Argentieri says.
"The recent truck drivers' strike exasperates further the situation of the food market. The product is still on the plants or in cold storage, but we cannot sell it yet," Argentieri concludes.