Italian campaigns are invaded by Canadian wheat, with an increase of 68% in the imports that contributed to the collapse of the prices paid to farmers, despite the strong decline in national production. To report it is Coldirettiwhich analyzed the data of the DG Agri relating to the 2024/2025 commercial campaign, highlighting a worrying trend for the cereal sector.
From the Canada 392 thousand tons of durum wheata growing quantity compared to the same period of the previous year, with prospects of a further increase in the coming months. “It is a grain treated in pre-racolted with glyphosate, a practice prohibited in our country”reports Coldiretti, who underlines the need for anharmonization of the rules on the global market. “We are in favor of trade, but it is essential to guarantee the principle of reciprocity and transparency”.
A goal on which the Italian and European Agricultural Association has focused the spotlight during the recent meeting in Ortigia of the agricultural associations of the G7 countriesjust to discuss the impact of foreign imports on the internal market.
Falling prices and unfair competition
According to the Report of the Commission for the development of the Saskatchewan wheatthe commercial war between United States and Canada It could push Canadian wheat to other markets, including Italy, further aggravating the situation. “In recent years we have witnessed a real invasion of foreign product, which has destabilized the market”highlights Coldiretti.
A phenomenon that, according to the association, has led to a reduction in 12% of the value of the national wheat in the first week of March, with the prices descended to 327.50 euros per tonneagainst the 372.50 of the same period of 2024. “Our wheat is paid less and less, while production costs continue to rise”underlines Coldiretti.
Competition of the imported wheat also has consequences on the sowing, with an average drop in the 6-7% of the cultivated surfaces, which reaches points of the 10% in Puglia And Sicilythe two main manufacturing regions. Climatic changes are also weighed on Italian farms: the drought of the last year has already reduced the production of 20%while the Forting of wheat in the EU they are estimated down by the 6-4% In 2024-2025.
Coldiretti asks for more severe checks
Despite the reduction of availability, the prices to farmers remain low due to the Sleal imports of cereals grown with products prohibited in Europe. “Canadian wheat, Russian and Turkish is treated with chemicals forbidden for years in the EU, while our farmers must respect very rigid rules”reports Coldiretti.
Among the products used abroad and prohibited in Italy are the glyphosate (for pre-racolted drying), the Carbendazim (fungicide suspected of being carcinogen), the Malathion (toxic for bees), the Cyflutrin (insecticide considered dangerous for human health) and the Phenoxprop p ethylnot allowed in the EU. The Ukrainian wheaton the other hand, is treated with the Chlorothalonilanother fungicide suspicion of carcinogenic.
To counter this situation, Coldiretti has intensified the Inspections in Italian portsasking the government More checks on imported goods. “It is unacceptable that our market will be flooded with products grown with prohibited substances, while Italian farmers respect environmental, health and highly high safety standards”says the organization. “We ask that all agri -food products that enter Italy respect the same criteria requested to our producers”.
The alarm launched by Coldiretti highlights the urgency of a regulatory intervention to guarantee equity And transparency In the Italian cereal sector, protecting the income of farmers and the quality of the wheat intended for consumers.