Italy: the ANICAV has ratified the drop in production

According to the ANICAV, the 2018 season will end with a nationwide drop in production levels of approximately 15% compared to 2017. In addition to the drop in planted surfaces (a total of 60 500 hectares were planted with processing tomatoes in Italy this year, which is 6% less than in the 2017), adverse weather conditions prevailed and, as from mid-August, affected the crops throughout the country, with a significant negative impact on agricultural yields. Exceptionally critical episodes were reported in the South Central region, where operators are calling it "the worst season for the past 10 years". Low agricultural yields were compounded by a noticeable deterioration in industrial yields, which, in the context of operators' commitment to quality standards, is expected to result in a final production that is 20% lower than last year's.

The ANICAV has pointed out that the processing industry has also faced an increase in production costs, particularly in the cost of raw tomato. Processors have supported growers by a specific reevaluation of agricultural production, which has largely exceeded the contractual prices of EUR 87 /metric tonne for round tomatoes and EUR 97 /metric tonne for oblong tomatoes.

Source: agroalimentarenews.com