Italian food group chief warns of major food challenges

Rome, June 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The chairman of Italy’s leading food and drink industry group has warned that food supply problems stemming from the conflict in Ukraine could cause major problems in Italy in the fall unless action is taken now to avoid transport problems.

Ivano Vacondio, chairman of Federalimentare, recently told local media that Italy was on the verge of a crisis over the supply of key grains and cereals, Xinhua news agency reported.

Vacondio’s remarks were verified and contextualized on Wednesday by Federalimentare officials contacted by the Xinhua news agency.

“It’s a question of logistics, which is fundamental for a country like ours which already imports 4 million tonnes of wheat and 6 million tonnes of corn as well as large quantities of barley and soybeans,” he said. -he declares.

“The supply problem already exists, but we can catch up with it now with our own national cultures,” added the president of the organization.

“But from September, when we have to start importing grains and cereals from other parts of Europe and the rest of the world, we will need better logistics and it is a system that is under a lot of strain. stress right now.”

Federalimentare is not the only national entity expecting difficult times for the Italian food system. Several Italian farmers’ and farmers’ associations have predicted reductions of up to half in summer agricultural production in northern Italy due to abnormally high temperatures and dry conditions. This comes amid rising fuel costs and other transport issues related to the crisis in Ukraine.

Against this backdrop, the global food price index, produced by the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, recorded its three highest levels on record in the past three months.

Source: IANS