Italia: Potato producers worried about lack of rain
Selenella increased its sales volumes by approximately 15% (data still being defined) - an impulse choice to maintain the area destined to potato cultivation unaltered. But there is some worry concerning the lack of rain.
"Transplants will be over in ten days’ time and we have more or less confirmed the areas planned. Although a slight drop is expected on a national level, our quantities remain constant because we have specific sales programs," explains Massimo Cristiani, president of the consortium.
Massimo Cristiani
It has not rained in months in the Bologna province, the beating heart of the Selenella production. "Transplants are being carried out on dusty soil. If things do not change soon, our producers will have to think about emergency irrigation over the next few weeks."
The flow rate of the Po river, from which a lot of irrigation water derives, is currently 25% below the period average.
The Selenella brand is doing increasingly well on the market. The Consortium gathers around ten partners, one of which a producer association, covering around 1600 hectares cultivated by approximately 350 growers. "The crops are located in Sicily, Apulia, Sardinia and Lazio as well as Emilia Romagna. Every year, we invest in research so as to select new varieties and improve crop management," concludes Cristiani.
For further information
Consorzio Patata Italiana di Qualità
Via Tosarelli 155
40050 Villanova di Castenaso (BO)
+39 051 5872419
Fuente: https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9305927/potato-producers-worried-about-lack-of-rain/
