After two years of low prices, due to a supply surplus, especially from abroad, the price of Italian garlic has been rising for some months and has reached good levels, allowing producers to recover some of the previously lost revenue.
"We still have some of the local product, despite being in great demand. On average, compared to a few months ago, prices have increased by 30%" says Francesco Rastelli, chairman of the Copap cooperative, which produces, packs and markets Piacentino white garlic, onions, shallots and tomatoes.
"The quality is excellent but the quantities available are not many, since we are close to the end of the commercial season. As for the prices, it depends on the type of product. Our flagship product, the high quality garlic, already processed and packaged, can reach 5-6 euros per kilogram. But you have to value it correctly and make it stand out from the foreign product".
In Italy there are different types of garlic and all with different characteristics. The Piacenza one is distinguished by an intense aroma. From a quantitative point of view, the main producer in Europe is Spain . "We want to differentiate ourselves from the foreign product - says the chairman - and I believe that consumers, especially in times like these, are looking for the national product. Our strength lies in natural drying in the sun and in handmade production".
The current situation of a garlic field in Piacenza.
The price increase in recent months is not due to the Coronavirus: "I don't think families eat more garlic because they spend more time at home, therefore the quantities sold are not so high to have caused prices to rise. Not to mention the fact that the HoReCa sector has stopped. In fact, we have seen a return to normal: the prices were too low before, while now they are at a decent level".
The Copap cooperative also markets its own shallots and onions. "The onions are almost over - concludes Rastelli - with very satisfactory prices despite the not so great availability".
Contacts
Copap Soc. Coop. Agricola
Via Breda 86, 29010 Monticelli d'Ongina (PC)
Tel.: +39 0523 829456
Fax: +39 0523 820992
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.copap.it