They were in the Ferrara area approximately 7,500 hectares invested in industrial tomatoes in 2023, approximately 250 more than in 2022 and it is estimated that there will be a further increase in 2024. A sector that is holding up, but which is put in check by the lack of agreement on price agreed between the agricultural part and the processing industry and on the qualitative conditions of delivery, essential for making agronomic choices and having a quality product. A situation that is not new but which now has greater weight, given the uncertainties caused by climate change and the market which affect, in general, all company production. Also Cia-Italian Farmers Ferrara is urging at all levels to break the deadlock, as the president explains Stefano Calderoni.
“The distances between the agricultural and industrial sides to reach an agreement appear truly unbridgeable at this point. Farmers are worried, they made the investments also driven by the excellent price last year – 150 euros/tonne with an increase of more than 27% compared to 2022 – and now they are doing the transplants without knowing if they will cover the production costs. At the moment we do not know if and when the situation will be resolved and the fear is, unfortunately, that we will not reach a framework agreement and each processing company proceeds independently and makes individual agreements with the producers. This would be a huge step backwards for the sector, because having a price agreed and signed by the parties has made it possible over the years to have some more certainty and this is essential for agricultural companies that still find themselves facing climate change and constant market fluctuations for almost all productions. Then, of course, we know that in some very suitable areas such as Piacenza, the production areas have increased because, given the price of the previous campaign, even those who have never produced tomatoes have chosen to invest. This trend has generated the fear of above-average production which it is believed will not be totally absorbed by the industry and the market. But it is equally true that we are still in the early stages of the campaign, we don’t know what the climate trend will be and it seems truly absurd not to determine a price due to possible overproduction. We must try until the end to reach an agreement and to do so we need it a concrete will by the industry which has seen a reduction in energy costs over 50% compared to last year, unlike farmers who produce with production costs that have remained unchanged compared to 2023. It is necessary to avoid the signing of individual agreements because agricultural companies would find themselves with less security, an even more limited planning capacity and the possibility of covering production costs is even more uncertain. The industrial tomato remains a productive resource of the territory and an opportunity for farmers who are really starting to be “short” of cash crops, after the debacle of cereals and fruit growing. You cannot take away another investment opportunity for them.
(By the Cia Ferrara Press Office)
Tags: priceless producers Telestense
