Sicily: organic tomato production grows, but labour remains a challenge

Sicily confirms its leading role in organic agriculture with over 400,000 hectares. Organic tomatoes are among the fastest growing sectors, especially in recent years.

Coop Alba Bio produced and marketed 10,000 tonnes of organic tomatoes in 2023, a figure that rose to 11,500 tonnes in 2024 - a 15% increase. Such achievement was driven by the increasing demand for healthy food and European policies supporting organic farming.

The labour issue slows down growth
Despite the positive trend, the sector faces an increasingly pressing critical issue, i.e., the difficulty in finding seasonal labour. In Sicily, as in the rest of Italy, agriculture depends heavily on seasonal workers, but in the peak months between February and June - when 80% of greenhouse harvesting is concentrated - finding labour is increasingly complex. Many prefer jobs in sectors with better working conditions, and farms often cannot compete with the wages offered by other industries.

"Sicilian companies depend heavily on immigrant workers, but the long time it takes to enter Italy is a significant obstacle. A more streamlined procedure to directly hire non-EU workers with temporary contracts, subject to verification of the contractual conditions, would make it possible to guarantee greater production continuity throughout the year," explains Vittorio Gona from Alba Bio.

Producer prices and economic sustainability
The current prices of tomatoes and other organic vegetables reflect the seasonal average:

Cherry tomatoes: €1.70/kg
Plum tomatoes: 2.40 €/kg
Bunch tomatoes: 1.20 €/kg
Piccadilly tomatoes: 1,30 €/kg
Red and yellow peppers: 1,80 €/kg
Courgettes: 1,00 €/kg
Aubergines: 1,20 €/kg

However, with the rising production costs, farms would need a price adjustment of at least 10-15% to maintain economic sustainability.

Beyond the numbers: A commitment to the future
"Despite the difficulties, Alba Bio is not only growing its production volumes, it is also investing in the training and development of its producer members. With a targeted growth plan, the company aims to strengthen collaboration between farmers, in the conviction that the future of organic production lies in sharing skills and creating a solid network. Improving product quality and ensuring a sustainable supply chain are the primary objectives of this journey, to the benefit of the entire Sicilian agricultural sector."

For more information:
Vittorio Gona
O.P. Coop. Alba Bio
Cda Ferranta, SN
97010 Marina di Ragusa (RG) - Italy
Tel: +39 0932 239003
info@gruppoalbabio.it
www.gruppoalbabio.it