"Even where there are no problems caused by the market, diseases or adverse weather events, the increase in the price of raw materials is causing a lot of issues for our businesses. The continuous increases for each single good necessary to cultivate are suffocating," reported a producer.
"Fuel and fertilizers are at the top of the list, then there is iron, plastic, packaging and the rental cost of containers. I do not even want to consider each single item we need to bear in mind to balance the books, meaning production costs. Just think that, last year, we bought nitrogen at €36, while now we spend €80 for the same quantity."
"And while things are becoming dangerously worrying, we need to witness protests that are just a farce. The green pass is a false problem, raised only by those who evidently have other purposes, proving they do not know what the country's real problems are. All the energy and resources are focused on issues such as transport, which do not depend on having a green pass or not, but rather on the exorbitant increase in the cost of fuel, just to make an example."
"It is misleading to cast doubts on a category such as drivers when we know full well the sacrifices that they made when they guaranteed food supplies during lockdown. I believe that, with all the dangers they were exposed to, they were among the first to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones!"
"It seems that a sort of plan is in place to divert attention away from the real problems, i.e. price increased and the loss in purchasing power. If we continue like this, our companies will have to reconsider their investment policies. But, without investments, there is no growth and therefore it will not be possible to maintain occupational levels. Trade associations should make an effort to bring the Country's agenda back to reality."