The first harvest of new carrots began on Saturday, 2 June 2023, in the Fucino Plain in Abruzzo (Italy). Heavy rains and flooding are marking this crop season.
"Temperatures have been cool this time of year, and once again last night (the night between 5 and 6 June 2023, ed.) we were surprised by rain, which lasted until 8 a.m. We did not expect it, and from 3 mm it went up to 11 mm. This time the rainfall did not occur in spots, but affected all areas of Fucino," says Gabriella Stoilova, head of production at Venditti Fabio farm in Luco dei Marsi (AQ).
"Each year has its own meteorologic season. We go from one extreme to another. Last year we were complaining about extreme drought, this year we are recording more rainfall than we should - continues Stoilova. It is a perennial unknown. Every day there seems to be something happening and it's never anything good. Two weeks ago, it hailed in our area; a week ago it happened in other areas in Fucino. Basically, no one is exempt."
The farm already has several batches of new carrots with leaves already on hand, which arrived early. "The rainfall helped for a quick attainment of the caliber, and the carrots came out of the ground very early," explains Stoilova, "Therefore, we started harvesting last Saturday, but we have some inconveniences in the processing, especially in harvesting the produce, which can only be done by hand at the moment, as well as in the washing of the carrots."
Currently, only bundled and leafy carrots are being processed. "As for the defoliated product, whether in trays or in bulk, we will be starting when the weather stabilizes, so as to be able to get into the fields with machines, in order to carry out mechanized harvesting.
According to the production manager, current prices are quite high. "We are talking about three times the value of last year, but such prices never fully compensate for the work done in the field and in the processing warehouse." The company works with Italian and French supermarkets but is also present in wholesale markets.
More generally, the supply of carrots is limited at the moment. "Other parts of Italy are wrapping up their campaign and we are just getting started. In the face of a low production, there is a very high demand."
While no predictions can be made, Stoilova concludes saying that, "I think prices will remain very high. Compared to past years, volumes will be lower, with quality possibly compromised by weather events. As a matter of fact, the current weather conditions do not allow us to continue planting and carrying on the campaign."
Photos provided by Gabriella Stoilova
Azienda agricola Venditti FabioVia G. Ungaretti, 26
67056 Luco dei Marsi (AQ)
+39 376 0778585
[email protected]
vendittifabio.it