"Prices remained low most of the time, so producers cannot cover production costs. This was caused by the abundant stocks of produce all over Europe, the prohibition to export table potatoes to Russia and the fact that harvesting came early in Italy and Northern Europe."
"As there are more new potatoes available - especially from Mediterranean countries - clients only bought what they needed, leading to a drop in prices."
As regards watermelons - which the company produces from early June to August - the situation is not better.
"Early greenhouse and open field harvesting went very well, as prices were great and people bought the produce, but then the weather changed, so people stopped eating watermelons and prices dropped. We hope that, if temperatures go back to normal, fresh fruit consumption will increase," concludes Manni.
Contacts:
Soc. Agr. Coop. ACLI - Racale
Enzo Manni
Via Provinciale Racale - Ugento km 1,1
73055 Racale (LE)
Tel./Fax: (+39) 0833 583484 - 0833 551848
Email: acliracale@tiscalinet.it
Web: www.acliracale.it