Despite this though, "Italians still consume 500 thousand tons more than what we produce." This season, the Emilia-Romagna region is expected to produce 180 thousand tons in total, whereas producers were hoping for 220 thousand tons.
Potatoes sold in Caab - Centro Agroalimentare di Bologna (archive photo).
This lack of availability is reflected in the prices - "prices are good, the producers part of the regional interbranch agreement reach 30 cents per kg. It is much better than last year, were they could not even reach 12 cents per kg when production costs were 17/20 cents per kg."
In wholesale markets, potatoes reach 50/60 cents per kg in 5 kg crates or bags. "Quality is quite high and consumers are happy. They especially like 2/2.5 kg bags, which are customised with the logo of the final seller. In retail, they reach 75/80 cents per kg."
"Red potatoes are quite popular, and white ones are sold at much the same as the yellow ones. Medium grades (45/75) are the most popular. Uniform dimensions are more appreciated, so 50/60 costs a little more (around 5 cents) than average."
Harvesting in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Avezzano, Castro and Veneto is over, whereas it is still ongoing in Fucino, Sila and Val Pusteria. "The produce is still fresh, whereas cold storage units will enable us to continue selling the local product until May."
"Foreign potatoes will arrive in November, December and January mainly from France, the Netherlands and Germany, but they are mainly destined to the processing industry."