MILAN, Apr 26 (Class Editori) -- Italian rice is ready to launch from the delta of the river Po and land in China. "We aim at doubling our production by 2024," said Zanella. "So we want to invest in overseas promotional campaigns. We are already exporting toward all of Europe and the US, but we want to increase both the product amounts and the number of countries. I am also trying to gather all consortia working with local products, from parmesan to cured hams; after all, why shouldn't we join our strengths and approach the foreign markets together?" explained Adriano Zanella, president of the consortium for the protection of the rice from the delta of the river Po. As of today, the consortium gathers 37 associated farmers and can boast 78,600-ton production (following an over-200% growth from the 25 tons of 2014) spanning over 165 thousand hectares of land, plus an almost 5-million-euro turnover (at the source).
Italy is Europe's biggest rice producer, controlling over 50% of the market. France and Spain come in second place. Market outlooks remain good nevertheless. "If we know how to sell it, there are no competitors who can hold out against us," added Zanella. "Our land is rich in iron, chrome, potassium, and is at the root of our products' quality. At the delta of the river Po, fresh and salty waters mix with each other and with the reclaimed land to create a curious alchemy. The first evidence dates back to the 1400s. Here, we produce four types of rice: Carnaroli, Arborio, Volano and Baldo. 10% of total production is brown rice, and we are about to launch our organic line".
China is one of the targets, since the Chinese consume ten times the amount of rice than the Italians do – which is just about 6 kg per capita every year. Nevertheless, Zanella complained that Europe is accepting the arrival of Chinese rice without putting too much of a fight up. He also noted that, conversely, the other-way route is kept blocked due to excuses like an alleged parasite beetle.
The Ministry of Agriculture is working on this aspect already, as the topic was breeched during Minister Gian Marco Centinaio's visit to Beijing as well.
Just before his Chinese mission, the minister had highlighted the necessity of reviving rice production, bringing up the so-called "safeguard clause" enforced by the European Commission on January 15th requiring the charging of a 175 € tax every ton of import coming from Cambodia and Myanmar.
"We had been working on the safeguard clause for years, starting from the previous government – so we should give credit to those coming before us. The whole Italian reality of rice production is responsible for achieving it. Now we are approaching the most difficult stage: reviving the sector. And I intend to work precisely on this," said the minister. A starting point could be the protocol on rice export, in discussion between the Italian and the Chinese governments.
Yet as the sector waits to enter the Chinese one, the internal market is about to face a possible crisis – the VAT increase. "It will impact essential goods as well, including a 10% flat tax on meat, fish, yoghurt, eggs, rice, honey and sugar, and a 22% one on wine and beer – building blocks of families' consumption, thus penalizing the whole agri-food sector," concluded Zanella.
(Source:Class Editori)
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