Bad news for an industry that requires investment for growth and constant innovation, both in terms of mechanisation and the organoleptic characteristics of production earlier in the supply chain. The removal of EU aid for tomatoes is the worst possible move for a leading sector in Italian agricultural economy, since the price difference that the industry has had to pay from 2010 onwards is pushing the canning industry increasingly out of the market since the farmers have had to claim that difference from the industry, where before it was compensated for by EU aid
“The EU’s decision does not only affect the south, but all of Italy, since fresh tomatoes are cultivated from Emilia Romagna down to Puglia” emphasised Pasquale Petti, managing director of the Petti Group –. This scene makes Italian tomatoes the most expensive in Europe and countries such as Spain and Portugal are eroding more of our business every year. Over 2015, the situation will get worse on the basis of the price levels confirmed for the next lot of fresh tomatoes which will destroy small and medium companies, the pride of the Italian canning industry, since they cannot survive international competition that purchases fresh tomato at 20% cheaper. The only action we can take is to focus on quality, the exclusivity of Tuscan products and the Petti brand, which thanks to the low temperature it uses, cannot be confused with other products from foreign competitors”.