The vegetable market is currently showing some buzz in terms of retail prices, but sales are proceeding at a slow pace.
"We believe that rising prices are driving a contraction in consumption. While it is no longer possible for the producer to absorb all the generalized price increases so far, there is a lack of production volumes, due to the weather, and this is driving up prices. Consumers are therefore not enticed to buy. As for the items we are working on, such as winter carrots, broccoli and asparagus, we confirm that available quantities are currently low," say brothers Giovanni and Michele Riontino of AgriDaniele in Zapponeta (FG).
Broccoli wrapped with film and 1 kg tray of winter carrots from AgriDaniele (photos provided by Giovanni Riontino)
And talking about prices, the two entrepreneurs shared that "The 1 kg tray of carrots is sold around €0.95-1.00, while the bulk product shows an average quotation of €0.90/kg. Broccoli is fetching a €0.90-1.00 price per 500-gram single vegetable, packaged in film for the large-scale retail trade."
Broccoli
The mild temperatures in the final months of 2022 resulted in a lack of timely harvest in the subsequent period. So, since January this year there has been a marked shortage of product. "All the broccoli in the harvest sold out very quickly. We have seen a strong demand from abroad, mainly from Germany, and sales have been steady and repeated. We are at the end of the campaign; there are about 10 days left, therefore the product tends to be in short supply."
Broccoli wrapped in film, 500 grams apiece, destined for the German market (photo provided by Giovanni Riontino)
Carrots
Mild weather conditions on the whole, as well as recent higher-than-average temperatures, have led to premature aging of winter carrots. "We have been processing the product faster than usual and current stocks are almost gone. This year we will wrap up the winter season ahead of schedule; in contrast, last year we recorded continuity between the winter and summer campaigns. We will go on for another 15-20 days with the Apulian product. After that we will be forced to turn to Sicily, which is beginning its season, or we will import from abroad, expecting to have domestic summer carrots from mid-May."
Bulk carrots destined for the Italian market (photo provided by Giovanni Riontino)
As for imports coming in from abroad, the Riontino brothers pointed out that the country they source from is Israel, as it offers a carrot that is much more similar to the Apulian carrot, even in flavor, and that is grown in sandy soils with similar characteristics to those grown by AgriDaniele.
Asparagus
"We have just started with the green asparagus harvest. The high temperatures are favoring the release of the turions, but the current available volumes are very limited. We will start packing the product from next week," said the Riontino brothers. "We expect a long campaign for this vegetable, until the entire month of June, if weather conditions remain as they are now. In about 10 days, volumes will tend to increase and be available on a regular basis."
Packed asparagus from last campaign. The packaging of the new season's product - which began in recent days - will take place starting next week (photo provided by Giovanni Riontino)
Price hikes and labor shortages are pushing to reduce areas of production
The current shortage of vegetables was also dictated by another factor, according to the Riontino brothers. "Widespread price increases in production, transportation and packaging, and the continuing labor shortage have pushed us and other producers to reduce the areas under cultivation. Labor, in particular, is really a serious problem. Not only are we having a hard time finding specialized ones, but also training staff on the farm is more difficult and does not guarantee continuity of worker presence."
For more information:
Giovanni Riontino
+39 349 0692297
Michele Riontino
+39 380 4665377
AgriDaniele
S.P. 141 Km 20 + 100
Zapponeta (FG)
+39 0884 090327
www.agridanielesrl.it