Over 230 chestnut operators gathered in Melivia and Agia, in the region of Thessaloniki, Greece, from September 12th to 15th for the 14th edition of the Chestnut Technical Days promoted by Eurocastanea, the European network that promotes and defends the interests of European chestnut growers. Eurocastanea gathers organisations representing Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
An Italian member of Eurocastanea is Centro di Studio e Documentazione sul castagno (CSCD) located in Marradi (Florence) and chaired by Professor Elvio Bellini, who has appointed the following as its representatives in the European network: Gabriele Beccaro, Maria Marsiglia, Roberto Mazzei, Renzo Panzacchi and Luciano Trentini.
The Italian delegation in Greece was quite numerous and included representatives from the CSDC, the Chestnut District of the Campania Region, the University of Turin, the Mach Foundation, the Consorzio Castanicoltori dell'Appennino Bolognese, and other operators from public bodies and private companies involved in activities related to chestnut cultivation, who were interested in learning more about the Greek chestnut-growing business. The speakers for Italy were Giovanni Gamba from the University of Turin, Luca Dondini from UniBo, Renzo Panzacchi frim the Consortium of chestnut growers of the Bologna Apennines.
Technical visit to the irrigated chestnut groves of Melivia
Two days were dedicated to technical and scientific presentations, while the third day featured technical visits to the Melivia area, where chestnut groves of the Volos cultivar, i.e. the most widely cultivated variety in Greece, predominate. The area is characterized by low rainfall, so irrigation is widespread.
In the various sessions that followed, the speakers drew attention to how climate change is affecting both the quantity and quality of the fruit, especially when it comes to the rise in temperatures and less regular rainfall (abundant spring rains alternating with long summer droughts and cloudbursts), as in the case of this year's drought in Greece, or the damage caused by Cyclone Boris, which stressed the species and has had a negative impact on productivity. Climate change was discussed among the speakers present, with the aim of selecting new cultivars that are more resistant to water shortages and high temperatures so as to ensure a more constant production.
The damage caused by Cyclone Boris also strongly affected the chestnut sector
"The General Assembly of Eurocastanea," explains Italian delegate Luciano Trentini, "proposed the creation of a working group among European researchers to promote a specific project. The issue of drought also triggered a heated debate on the correct water requirements for irrigation and the need to authorize the design and construction of rainwater retention basins that can be used when needed. Those present were able to see how, in the areas visited, relief irrigation systems were installed to be used precisely in times of greatest need. Each European country has currently adopted its own production strategy related to chestnut management. Despite the differences between different cultivation methods, the issue of the ongoing spread of the Gnomoniopsis castanea fungus has been debated, as it is creating very serious problems to both producers having to manage the preservation phase, and to the commercial and industrial sector."
Trentini, of the CSDC and vice-president of Eurocastanea, reports that "the phytosanitary and climatic problems mentioned above risk weakening the production system, which has to deal not only with often obsolete groves and phytosanitary problems, but also with the difficulty of finding labor for harvesting.
The 2024 production forecasts for Italy presented at Eurocastanea, prepared by technicians from the individual regions coordinated by UNITO
Although it is too early to make forecasts, the data for 2024 once again show a low productivity of the European chestnut groves, which could have a negative impact on producer income. A fairly realistic hypothesis is that of a European production of between 180 and 220,000 tonnes, which represents 9-10% of the world production, estimated at just over 2 million tonnes.
However, European production is not sufficient to meet European needs, taking into account that the processing industry is constantly growing and its demands are now estimated at 75-85,000 tonnes.
This is why imports of chestnuts of the sativa genus are increasing in Europe from countries outside the EU, in particular from Turkey, Albania, Chile and, albeit in smaller quantities, from China (Castanea mollissima).
It is clear that, if production levels stabilize or even drop slightly, more space will be created to the benefit of other producer countries such as China, the world's leading producer country with a production of around 80%.
Portuguese Professor Josè Larangio commented on global import figures
The depopulation of mountainous production basins in Europe has often forced new choices (intensive planting, introduction of Hy Chinese-Japanese cultivars) around which technical and economic considerations are being made. Italy is the leading producer country in Europe with around 50,000 tonnes, but it is also the leading exporter, generating revenues of around USD 60 million. At the same time, it is also the main importer with an estimated value of USD 75 million spent on produce from Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Chile.
An analysis of the information gathered also shows that consumption by European families tends to decline: young people in particular are the ones showing a lower knowledge of the nutritional values of this fruit. In light of all this, the Eurocastanea General Assembly intends to propose a project to promote and improve the consumption of chestnuts, targeting young consumers in particular.
In 2026, the technical days of Eurocastanea will be held in Spain. Presentations at Eurocastanea 2024 can be requested from the CSCD in Marradi via email.
For more information:
Centro Studi e documentazione sul castagno (CSDC)
via Castelnaudary, 1
50034 Marradi (Florence)
[email protected]
www.eurocastanea.org