Italy: Lack of courgettes causes prices to skyrocket

Courgette prices have skyrocketed to over €2/kg and it looks like we should get used to it for the n…

Courgette prices have skyrocketed to over €2/kg and it looks like we should get used to it for the next few weeks apart from sudden weather changes.

"We are passing from open field to greenhouse productions and it seems like there are less plants. Spain is also sending over very little produce, and this situation is going to last for a while. Prices hover between €2.20-2.30/kg for dark courgettes and white ones are €1-1.50 more than that."

"Greenhouse production in Ispica, Pachino, Caltanissetta, Agrigento and Licata should start next week, but this vegetable is so susceptible to weather changes that it is difficult to make a forecast."

The same is happening in Verona where, just like in Bologna, there are very few courgettes available. "Dark ones are sold at €2-2.30/kg because of the lack of produce. The Spanish ones are expensive too," explains wholesaler Nino Leonardi.

In addition to this gap, there is also another problem: "there are many viruses caused by temperature changes. We had to uproot and re-transplant everything, so of course we had to wait for the produce to ripen."

"Now polytunnel productions in Ispica, Licata and Agrigento are starting. Produce is looking good but we will have to wait for it so volumes and quotations will remain like this for a while."