General vegetable sales could be better. Consumption and purchases have dropped due to a series of factors, including the coronavirus and temperatures higher than the seasonal average.
"Artichoke sales have maintained stable quotes that have never dropped below €0.50/head. The produce comes from Puglia and limited quantities are available. This year, the artichoke campaign in Puglia started 30-40 days late and quantities are limited," reported Giuseppe Ventura from La Zucca Rossa, a company operating at Centro agroalimentare di Napoli (CAAN).
Ventura stressed that, had this been a 'normal' year (i.e. Covid-free and with the right temperature), prices would have already skyrocketed. "They have done well so far, considering. French artichokes from Provence have also registered quotations we had not seen in years, i.e. €22-23 per package."
Slow pumpkin consumption
"Pumpkin sales are slow and prices have remained close to the summer ones, i.e. €0.35-0.45/kg. Produce from Puglia or from the Battipaglia area is available on the market, but we do not currently sell it."