Confagricoltura wrote to the Undersecretary of Agriculture, Patrick Giacomo La Pietra, to report the sudden and abnormal drop in the prices of extra virgin olive oila, which is generating strong concern in the Italian olive oil sectorIn the letter, the Organization reports that, according to data from the Chamber of Commerce of Bari, the average price dropped from 9,3 euros per kilo on 21 October to 7,4 euros per kilo in just three weeks, having a reduction of 20% in just 21 days. In Calabria, some productions record even lower values, between 6 and 7 euros per kilo.
Such a rapid trend, lacking any economic or production justification, risks destabilizing the entire sector at a crucial stage of the olive growing season. “This instability affects a strategic sector of Italian agriculture, already struggling with increasing production costs and difficulties in ensuring profitability and competitiveness,” it is read in the letter, in which Confagricoltura calls for immediate intervention by the institutions, starting with the urgent convening of the National Olive Oil Roundtable to start a discussion between all the actors in the supply chain.
The requests also include a careful monitoring of imports, especially from non-EU countries, and the strengthening of traceability and controls to protect Italian producers and ensure transparency for consumers. There is no shortage of appeal to large-scale retail trade to maintain balanced commercial policies, avoiding choices that could further weaken the value of Italian oil.
The trade association also urges An institutional communication campaign to help consumers understand the true value of “100% Italian” extra virgin olive oil., highlighting its quality, sustainability, and healthiness. Finally, the rapid implementation of the measures envisaged in the National Olive Oil Plan, including the promotion section, is called for. “We trust in the sensitivity of Undersecretary La Pietra and hope for timely intervention to protect producers and the image of Italian extra virgin olive oil itself,” concludes the letter.
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