"Our marketing year 2024 is a record year compared to the previous one, with a 12% increase in quantities, bringing volumes of over 674,000 kg of certified product sold. The production is obtained from a surface area of about 133 hectares of invested land. The commercial calendar includes all 365 days of the year, taking into account that the campaign with the new product starts from 10 July, in accordance with the production regulations," says Massimo Tovo, president of the Consorzio di Tutela dell'aglio bianco polesano DOP (Consortium for the Protection of the PDO White Garlic of Polesine).
The consortium is experiencing a positive generational change and is currently made up of around 30 members: "The number of members has remained the same for some years, but the good thing is that, as I said before, we have a younger generation of members. Some members have retired, but new ones have joined who have shown a great interest in this crop."
The PDO garlic is a niche production, grown in an area that stretches across Polesine, in the lower Veneto region, near the province of Rovigo, between the lower courses of the Po and the Adige rivers. The type of soil, the temperate and dry climate, and the widespread presence of family farms have made garlic important in the area over the years.
Aglio Bianco Polesano DOP (PDO White Garlic of Polesine) is characterized by its aromatic profile and excellent shelf life. The bulbs have a uniform bright white color.
"In recent years, we have paid a high price in terms of production due to a number of factors. In particular, climate change makes it almost impossible to plan production volumes whose yields are always uncertain. Moreover, the scenario that the garlic supply chain has to deal with is that of the European policy, which affects the entire agricultural world and raises concerns, especially in the chapters of pesticide reduction and green revolution."
On average, the work in the fields, from sowing to harvesting, lasts nine months, followed by a period of weeding, usually carried out at the beginning of July, followed by about twenty days of sun drying, carried out in a completely natural way.
"We started sowing in October and continued until the end of November; due to the persistent rains, the area invested, about 125 hectares, has decreased compared to the previous campaign. One of the problems that we have to face, both in terms of sowing and harvesting, is the timely planning of human resources. There is a shortage of workers, also because we have to take into account that here in Rovigo there are large multinational companies that absorb workers; therefore, we have to organize in advance, and above all, guarantee the continuity of work for the workers - who are all foreigners - if we do not want to face serious difficulties during the harvest.
"In terms of international competition, the PDO White Garlic of Polesine is a niche product that is in great demand among consumers who pay attention to the supply chain and to a healthy product. Considering that we are talking about small quantities, we are far from the mass production that comes from China (13 thousand tons). But we cannot even compete with the production of South Korea and Egypt, because the production costs are low compared to the European average. In order to grow, it is essential to make the most of the land invested and to increase the volume of national garlic, as Italy is currently in deficit in terms of domestic consumption."
"The product is mainly packaged in the classic three-head net," concludes Massimo Tovo. "Recently, there has also been an interesting return to traditional packaging such as the braid, and more recently, the 'canestrino' (basket). The commercial channels include large retail distribution, general markets, and limited direct sales. We are present in the whole of Italy, with small quantities (about 5%) going abroad to Germany and Switzerland, and with commercial niches in Japan and the United Arab Emirates."
For more information:
Consorzio Tutela Aglio Bianco Polesano Dop
Piazza Garibaldi, 64
5100 Rovigo
info@agliodop.eu
www.agliodop.eu