Stable or slightly lower cultivated areas and higher production costs - this is what is expected for carrot production in the Veneto. Zanarini works with some of the leading producers on a national and European level and is currently working with them to prepare the new carrot campaign.
"This is a very important product with a high consumer penetrability index. The information collected on the sowed areas and the expectations for the start of the campaign were processed by our internal observatory, which studies the market and transfers the data to the sales office before the start of the new campaign. This is how we operate, as we believe it is essential to have information circulate before the product. We monitor production from sowing to harvesting, which means we can assess the situation," explained Matteo Zanarini.
Cultivated areas in the Veneto are stable this year, with a slight increase at the expense of other productions such as radicchio and cereal. Carrot crops have been increasing since 2019, and stabilized at around 10,500 hectares between 2020 and 2021 (ISTAT data).
The areas dedicated to the earlier produce under nylon films have instead considerably dropped due to the significant increase in the price of the latter. This data should not have a negative consequence on exports which is good, as carrots from the Veneto are almost entirely exported but foreign countries are not usually interested in the early productions.
"While it is early to talk about yields per hectare, we can assume that availability will be confirmed compared with the last campaign."
"Harvesting should start around May 10th unless there are particular weather problems and quantities should peak around May 20th. However, it will all depend on the temperatures in April and, most of all, on the rain which lacked all winter slowing down root development. On March 30th, carrots measured 7/8 cm long on average due to the lack of precipitations in March. The low level of the Adige and Po rivers caused saltwater intrusion, which cannot be used for irrigation and prevented us from turning on the pumps."
The situation is somewhat improving and the rain of the past few days, although far from abundant, is helping.
As for production costs, they are currently 30% higher and the increase in the cost of micro-elements, fertilizers and fuel will have considerable effects.
It is not easy to forecast how the market will start as a lot will depend on yields, old stock in Europe and the volumes in areas like Sicily and the Fucino area, as they could negatively affect the campaign.
"Zanarini is available to help you throughout the campaign, so get in touch for all kinds of needs. We will be available to provide more data already in late April, with the hope to set the base for a fruitful journey together."
For further information
Zanarini srl 
Via G. Caboto 16, 40017
San G. in Persiceto (BO) Italy
+39 051 826164
[email protected]
www.zanarini.com