The Italian beetroot chain has reached a turning point thanks to the farsightedness of some operators, including Matteo Zanarini from Zanarini Agromarketing e Consulting. "We need to hasten the harvesting calendar to fill a gap. In 2024, the produce will be available 40-60 days earlier than the usual month of June."
Matteo Zanarini
"But let's proceed with order. The areas dedicated to beetroot cultivation diminished all over Europe in 2022. France and Germany - respectively the second and third producer countries in Europe - experienced a drop in cultivated areas between 2021 and 2022 of -6.8% and -8.6%, resulting in a 15.4% and 14.7% drop in yields," reported Zanarini.
La Poland maintained the same volumes of the previous year, while Lithuania increased both cultivated areas and yields.
Beetroot production in Italy continues to drop progressively: a negative variation of 27% was recorded between 2019 and 2022. The lack of rain and scarcity of water are having a negative impact on yields all over Europe which, combined with the higher cost of energy, plant protection products and packaging, have led many producers to converting their plots to more profitable crops.
Beetroots for industrial use are required to be cooked, vacuum packed and used in many preparations, especially for the fresh-cut segment. Zanarini has created an excellent distribution network that serves the main Italian industries. "A few years ago we also started supplying European companies that require raw material procurement plans. We manage to meet this demand thanks to the collaboration with the distribution network we represent."
The present: season 2023/24
The new 2023/24 season started with significant uncertainty as regards the volumes available, considering the demand coming in from industries throughout Europe and with prices that continue to be high. Most European producers are currently harvesting, but yield data are still unclear and grades are not homogeneous due to the temperature swings in summer. The new campaign is therefore starting with prices that are higher than those at the start of the past campaign.
The future: season 2024
"To make up for the difficulty in sourcing the produce especially in spring, we have planned a test in collaboration with another Italian company and a well-known seed company, involving 12 hectares of early Italian beetroots that could be ready in April-May 2024. In case of a positive outcome, they could fill the gap between the end of the availability of European produce in March and the start of harvesting operations in Italy in June."
"It is the first time that a test of this kind is carried out in Italy, with a countercyclical production that could enable Italian companies to have early local produce at a time of when the European one is lacking."
"We want to continue investing in research and development, maintaining an open dialogue with operators to create a more stable market and give companies the possibility of making plans while reducing supply discontinuity."
"We base our work on innovation and planning to continue to grow alongside the industrial beetroot chain."
For further information:
Zanarini srl
Via G. Caboto 16, 40017
San G. in Persiceto (BO) Italy
+39 051 826164
[email protected]
www.zanarini.com
