The amount of fruit and vegetables bought by Italians in the first half of 2022 fell to its lowest level since the turn of the century, the country’s main agricultural union said on Tuesday.
This situation endangers some 300,000 small farmers, and has long-term consequences for the health of consumers.
Some 2.6 billion kilos of fruit and vegetables were sold in the first half of 2022, down 11% from the same period a year ago, the agricultural union Coldiretti said in a study carried out with two other Professional Affiliations.
According to the study, purchases fell across the board, with drops of 16% for courgettes, 12% for tomatoes, 9% for potatoes, 8% for oranges and 7% for carrots.
Sales were affected not only by higher prices caused by rising fuel costs, but also by lower production linked to an unusually hot and dry summer and reduced household incomes due to various factors. economic.
The livelihoods of more than 300,000 smallholders are now threatened by the fallout from rising energy costs and declining sales, according to the study. The fruit and vegetable sector accounts for around 440,000 jobs in Italy, or 40% of agricultural jobs in the country.
Even before this drop, Italians were already eating less fruit and vegetables than the daily amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the report. The average Italian consumes 273 grams per day, while the WHO recommends a consumption of 400 grams.
The results of this study were announced at a conference organized by the Italian National Union of Fruit, Vegetable and Citrus Producers.
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