MARKETS IN ITALY AND IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA CHARACTERIZED BY GENERALLY HIGH VEGETABLE PRICES IN THE SUMMER PERIOD DUE TO CLIMATE EXCESSES

This is what emerges from the sectorial analysis run by Italmercati and other survey institutes in Italy and other Mediterranean countries.

It is an opinion shared by many that the markets are going through a phase that has not yet stabilized after the pandemic and the energy crisis.

Inflation and the increase in the costs of energy and of the main raw materials are decreasing but have not yet reached stability.

However, in Italy as well as in other countries in the Mediterranean area, the main causes of the general increase in fruit and vegetable prices, according to sector experts, are mainly attributable to climatic factors which have reduced the supply, followed by sustained requests and by a still high incidence of logistics costs.

In Italy it has become necessary to establish a Parliamentary Commission to supervise possible speculation.

Since the beginning of the season, watermelons and melons have been traded at high prices, also as a consequence of the bad weather in May in some production areas, with an increase in demand in the middle of summer following temperatures above seasonal averages for quality summer productions with fruit with a high sugar content.

Prices of white, yellow and red onions were also sustained.

As far as the leafy items are concerned, in particular lettuce, the offer was also influenced by climatic instabilities due to strong summer storms.

At the end of summer prices have risen also for tomato varieties, especially datterino tomatoes and other specialties, following the lower incoming quantities.

The positive note is that consumption was sustained, in contrast with what occurred in the previous half-year, at least in Italy.

This brings cautious optimism among operators in the sector.