President Franco Aceto, is Coldiretti afraid of American duties for Calabrian productions?
«They don’t scare us but they worry. We face, as we are used to doing, “chest out” this, however, unfortunate and short -sighted choice. And do you know why? On our side there is an element that is not replicable anywhere in the world: tradition and quality that are the factor and common heritage of our productions. For us farmers it is an irreversible choice that we have been carrying out for a long time. The farmers, together with consumers, are the victims of the duties ».
Which Calabrian agricultural products can be more affected by the invitation of the Trumpian duties?
«Extra virgin olive oil, wine, salami but also products in oil, food preserves and figs in the various processes and salami. I also have to say the pasta. In recent years, the Region and the companies of the various sectors have made important investments in exports. The results have been seen with constant growth in the last three years in double figures. We know, the United States market is demanding but we are able to offer the best. In the United States they want to eat Italian food in restaurants. And then we do not forget the enormous request that comes from the territories of the USA with the great presence of our emigrants on agri -food.
What is the value of Calabrian agri -food exports in the United States?
«The United States represent the main non-EU destination for Calabrian exports in various sectors, with a share of 9.36%. A constantly growing trend between 2021 and 2023, going from 70 million to 82.5 million euros. The agri -food of this represents about 34%, therefore over 28 million euros. And there is still an induced to be safeguarded from logistics, to marketing actions. I hope and I don’t think this value can evaporate. Of course, the inflation that weighs on the United States is an element that must be kept in great consideration because it decreases the purchasing power of US citizens “.