“Calabrian oil is one of the most authentic symbols of our land: the fruit of the work, passion and agricultural culture that have characterized Calabria for centuries. It is unacceptable that this heritage is debased by speculative dynamics and unfair market practices that have nothing to do with quality and legality”.
This was declared by the regional councilor for Agriculture, Agri-food Resources and Forestry, Gianluca Gallo, in reference to the recent reports by Coldiretti on the drop in prices of extra virgin olive oil and on the speculative and artificial maneuvers that are putting producers in difficulty.
“When the price of oil collapses while production costs remain unchanged – continues Gallo – it means that there is something distorted in the market. Strict controls are needed along the entire supply chain, to guarantee that every bottle sold as Calabrian extra virgin is really so, and not the result of blends or imports disguised as made in Italy”.
The councilor also expresses strong concern about the growing presence of oils of foreign origin, often of Tunisian origin, which are marketed as Italian products after simple bottling or blending operations.
“This is a misleading practice – he underlines – which damages our producers, deceives consumers and weakens the credibility of the entire sector. Calabrian oil must be protected with transparency, traceability and stringent controls”.
To this end, Gallo underlines how the Calabria Region is intensifying the dialogue with agricultural organisations, protection consortia and the Ministry of Agriculture, to implement coordinated interventions to control and promote the quality of our oil.