Trucks and farmers protest, delays and shortages of fish and fruit and vegetables in the North

Tensions on the fruit and vegetable and fish distribution network have not abated, put to the test by protests by farmers and hauliers. The result is a difficult context, made up of heavy delays and shortages on the counters, with the Northern markets suffering the most from the blockage of supplies arriving from Sicily, Calabria, Campania and Puglia. The supply is supported by the stocks of local and medium-long life products such as apples, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, plums and chestnuts, although there are slight increases. The situation is highlighted by La Borsa della Spesa, a weekly initiative by Bmti, Italmercati and Consumerismo No Profit, advising on the best quality-price ratio in wholesale markets despite the critical issues arising from the protests.

In fact, the apple market remains stable, with the Annurca variety from Campania at 2 euros/kg, while the Fuji from Emilia-Romagna varies between 1.75 and 1.80 euros/kg and Golden and Renetta from Trentino at around 1.90 euros/kg. Cooler temperatures lead to an increase in demand for persimmons and pomegranates, respectively between 1.50 and 2 euros/kg and pomegranates no more than 2.30 euros/kg. Chestnuts, however, are on the rise compared to last year due to a decrease in production, starting from 4.50 to 2.50 euros/kg, depending on the size.

In the vegetable sector, Bmti highlights the contraction of the Sicilian supply, which has a particular impact on product availability. Meanwhile, mild temperatures are maintaining the production of summer crops, such as courgettes and leafy vegetables, even in the northern regions, allowing the cities of the north and center to be supplied with local products.

In the fishing sector there has been a reduction in the number of large trawlers going out to sea, caused by high fuel costs, with a consequent contraction in the supply of numerous products. With the biological closure currently in force in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the availability of coastal fishing is mainly concentrated in the Adriatic. Here there is a good presence of prawns and wholesale between 10 and 16 euros/kg depending on the size and mud mullets between 2 and 8 euros/kg, farmed sea bream stable at no more than 13 euros/kg.