The use of public funds to break the deadlock of the crisis

"The international crisis that is affecting the current year 2022, with a persistent and overall rise in the cost of raw materials, energy products, and its derivatives, is part of a general picture that has seen an increase in inflation of +5.7% on an annual basis in February 2022 (Mipaaf data). The doubled and even tripled costs for agro-pharmaceuticals and fertilizers have been added to those of energy, fuel, packaging and logistics, in a disastrous and unprecedented situation," said Carmelo Calabrese, of the Colle D'Oro company, among the participants at Fruit Logistica.

Tony Solarino and Carmelo Calabrese

In a note published on 21 March 2022, the Italian agri-food research agency Crea measured these difficulties and also the effects of the conflict in Ukraine on the business prospects of Italian farms, estimating an impact of over 15,700 euros of the average increase in the costs of agricultural enterprises.

"Yet not everything is negative if we consider the significant public funds for the sector. The Italian Minister Stefano Patuanelli has announced emergency interventions to support the liquid assets and reduce the costs of companies, among the many anti-crisis measures, as well as a strong acceleration on the implementation phase of PNRR, with the aim of ensuring the energy diversification of companies and strengthening the efficiency of supply chains. We must be good at not wasting the opportunities that in this moment of crisis are offered to us by the State and the EU, and if necessary, make use of professional advice to intercept the available funds,” said Calabrese of the OP Colle D'oro.

"Another current issue is the ongoing lack of workforce. We have already considered the use of robotics, both in the production and in the warehouse processing phases. I would also like to comment on our participation in the Berlin fair, which has led us to new contacts. Our Crü zucchini for raw consumption generated great curiosity. This is a variety that we produce exclusively in Italy."