"It's hard for us to run out despite severe shortages everywhere"

Broccoli is the core business of Natura Ortaggi, a company based in Basilicata (southern Italy) that produces, packs, markets and ships vegetables to Italy and Europe.

The situation in the fields is difficult," says company administrator Antonio Bruno. We are experiencing a significant shortage of the product, which has reached percentages of up to -60 / -70%. The prices are high, with peaks of 2.70 €/kg for processed products, compared to 1.50-60 €/kg a year ago. The warm weather in September and October was a catalyst for development and growth. Most of the volumes that we would have had to harvest in November have already been sold in October. Fortunately, our careful planning is allowing us to handle the transplants as best we can. These transplants were done on a scalar basis. It is unlikely that we will run out of product. The response is always positive when our customers ask for product. We are managing to meet all the requests, in spite of the complex period."

Natura Ortaggi has invested 500 hectares of broccoli for the current season, in addition to those of the participating producers. "Our commercial calendar starts at the beginning of September and lasts until the last ten days of July, thanks to the many varieties planted. We supply wholesalers and GDO platforms from Germany, Switzerland and Eastern countries, in addition to the domestic market. The type of processing varies according to the customer. Regarding the reduced production, the situation is not going to improve for at least the next 2-3 weeks."