As it is widely known, Sicilian fruit and vegetable production has been highly affected by the frost waves which slowed down the aubergines' ripening, in the most meaningful Sicilian areas.
Astuto company's round aubergines
Indeed, prices are relatively high because of the shortage.
Giovanni Astuto is a specialised entrepreneur who farms soilless aubergines alongside tomatoes. He clarified some aspects related to the price and the dynamics that regulated the flow of goods in these last days.
Soilless aubergines
The entrepreneur explained, "Our round aubergine's price is 1.80 euros at the production and 3 euros/kg at the retail shops. The prices are even higher abroad, especially in Northern Europe, where it is sold for 3.50 euros/kg".
Price list, 18/01/2019
Astuto continued, "However, prices were different in the last days (2.50 euros/kg), especially the long variety which is 1 euro more expensive than the round one".
Price list, 28/01/2019
Why are aubergine prices going down?
The expert stated, "Everything changed with the advent of the Spanish produce which caused a price drop to the Italian aubergine. Additionally, Moroccan produce affected prices too as it is very cheap because of the low cost of the labour in that country".
Astuto concluded, "Additionally, prices have been affected by the big quantities passing through the logistic platform in Perpignan, France".