Winter has finally arrived in Sicily after a warm start to the season that meant that producers and traders could not make the most of the cold, even during the Christmas season, which was instead affected by the an availability of vegetables favored by the abnormal weather.
"Many days registered temperatures around 20 degrees in December, which slowed down sales. Now the lower temperatures slowed down the production of our Spanish friends. The produce grown under artificial light from Holland or central-northern Europe is also lacking, while here in Sicily, we have good quantities of tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, and bell peppers."
The prices at the Vittoria market on February 7th were high, in line with demand and supply. Dark zucchini prices were between €1.20 and €1.50/kg, round eggplants reached €2.50-2.80/kg, cherry tomatoes €2.40-2.80/kg, plum tomatoes €2.00-2.50/kg, bunch tomatoes €1.80-2.10/kg, red bell peppers €2.30-2.50/kg, yellow bell peppers €2.70-2.90/kg. It being understood that these prices refer to the part of the commercialization and do not represent an official or absolute value.
After all, agricultural market statements are still suspended, and they will be difficult to reactivate. Producers working with the Vittoria market report a lack of transparency because they have no official reference for prices, but companies seem to agree on better prices, also in the interest of producers. We will have to see how the new market commission will deliberate over the next few days.