The Italian olive oil sector looks to the future with renewed optimism thanks to the important innovations introduced by the Agricultural Connected to the budget law (draft law “Coltivaitalia”) which allocates, within the allocated billion euros, well 300 million euro for the realization of new olive groves, as announced yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture and Food and Forestry Sovereignty Francesco Lollobrigida.
Lollobrigida with Undersecretary La Pietra and Minister Foti
“Olive growing – Lollobrigida underlined in the press conference on the sidelines of the Council of Ministers that decided the measure – It is a strategic sector for which Undersecretary La Pietra is preparing a specific national plan. Currently, the sector is being attacked by several plant diseases, of which Xylella is the best known and most serious, but not the only one. The resources will therefore be allocated to the transformation and reconversion of the plants with resistant varieties and to the restoration of the production capacity of the companies.
Interventions not only in the Xylella area, but also in areas that could be affected by other plant diseases. A preventative measure that will help preserve our olive oil heritage.
And obviously, positive comments are coming from the sector. This is the case of Unaprol, the Italian Olive Consortium headed by Coldiretti, which also highlights the importance of recent changes to the National Strategic Plan (PSP). President David Granieri expresses great satisfaction with these measures, which promise to infuse new life into a sector that is strategic to the country’s economy and identity.
Davide Granieri
“A strong and concrete signal for the future of the Italian olive oil sector – Granieri underlined -. These significant resources represent a historic opportunity to revitalize and modernize a strategic sector. With over €300 million, we will finally be able to give a decisive boost to all the initiatives envisaged in the National Olive Oil Plan, especially for the planting of new olive groves, essential for the sector’s revival. This is a forward-looking investment, ensuring greater stability and growth prospects for our olive growers.
In parallel with the resources of the Agricultural Link, Unaprol welcomes the recent amendment of the National Strategic Plan (PSP)This strongly supported revision opens up new and significant opportunities for the sector, allowing the creation of new olive groves within the operational plans of Producer Organizations (POs). As indicated in the PSP, investments related to new olive groves and the renovation of existing ones can now be financed both through Rural Development and Operational Programs.
“We warmly welcome this change, which we have been hoping for for a long time,” added Granieri. This is a strategic opportunity for our producer organizations, which will now be able to invest more significantly in creating new orchards and improving existing ones. This will not only increase the competitiveness of our farms, but will also help strengthen Italy’s leadership in the global olive oil sector, ensuring ever-increasing quality production.
UNAPROL firmly believes that the new financing opportunities will provide a decisive boost to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the olive sector. This will enable the creation of more modern and resilient olive groves, ready to face market challenges and climate change.
Dining and Cooking