According to the interbranch organisation that presented the data concerning organic industry tomatoes at Cibus, the segment is growing in Northern Italy. It also illustrated the chain's commitment to supply produce that is healthy, sustainable and of high-quality, thus meeting the demands of consumers who are increasingly aware of what they eat.
Demand is increasing, but reliable organic supplies are growing too. A series of meetings between producers and processers promoted by the IO has led to the establishment of additional checks in addition to those set out by the regulations.
Organic tomatoes in figures
Northern Italy has gone from the 1,316 hectares of 2015 to the 2,310 of 2017. The value almost doubled and represents a consistent share of the 3,800 hectares estimated on a national level. As for 2018, the hectares destined to the production of organic tomatoes should reach 2,700.
Producers are increasingly specialised, just like the twenty processing companies that, in 2017, handled 162,000 tons of produce.
Destination channels
Organic tomatoes are mainly used to make puree (24,854 tons), pulp (19,410 tons), double concentrates (12,283 tons), other concentrates (2,378), frozen products (2016), sauces (145) and flakes (24). They are mostly destined to the processing industry to obtain other ready products (56.9%), products for young consumers (34.1%) and the catering industry (9%).
The "weight" of organic productions
The quantity of organic products is increasingly higher. In 2017, the 2,310 hectares of organic tomatoes represented 6.6% of the 34,932 hectares grown in Northern Italy using the integrated control technique. Emilia-Romagna is the region with the most organic crops. The leading producer province is Ferrara with 1,500 hectares, followed by Ravenna (350), Parma (184) and Piacenza (76).
Commitment to consumers
The growth in organic tomato production went hand in hand with the commitment to guarantee produce that is closely monitored, even beyond what is established by the law.
"POs and processing businesses have been involved by the IO to discuss additional checks. After drafting a Charter on good organic practices, we all signed a specific rule book as part of the new 2018 framework agreement," explains IO President Tiberio Rabboni.
"Additional checks were made possible by the fact that our sector works with Framework Agreements, contracts between POs and businesses and shared interbranch rules, so all actors are responsible. Our segment is reliable because it's well organised, controlled and self-regulated."