FruitImprese - ex Aneioa

Fruit Imprese, the association of leading Italian fresh produce import-export companies, has told Fruitnet.com of its 'dismay' at what it describes as 'misguided statements' made by Luca Zaia, the country's Minister of Agriculture, in which he called on Italian consumers to boycott pineapples and other imported food items this Christmas.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Mr Zaia said Italians should avoid out-of-season food products during the festive period and buy domestically produced goods instead.

But the comments have been met with no small amount of frustration among leading members of the country's fresh produce import trade.

'In an era of globalisation, it seems anachronistic to suggest solutions which encourage protectionism and boycotts, things which have caused enormous damage to Italian companies in the recent past,' said Luigi Peviani, president of Fruit Imprese. 'You only have to think about Italian citrus, which goes in exactly the opposite direction, not to mention the fact that Italy is predominantly an exporter – if its own products were subjected to the same treatment then a vital sector would be put at risk.'

The Minister's comments about pineapples also came at an inopportune moment for import companies, which have already agreed contracts to supply the fruit.

'He should not forget that there are many companies involved in importing pineapples, a product which is very popular among Italian consumers,' continued Mr Peviani. 'These companies are competing daily on risky international markets; they provide employment for thousands of Italians, not to mention the earnings they generate.'

Fruit Imprese added that Mr Zaia's reference to imported produce that is 'grown in countries where it is still possible to use hepatotoxic and sometimes carcinogenic insecticides' was ill-advised in the case of pineapples:

Pineapples are a product for which few chemicals treatments are used, it said, pointing out that fresh produce imports from third countries are accompanied by food safety and phytosanitary certificates and are routinely checked at European entry borders.

'Fruit Imprese hopes that Minister Zaia will turn his attention to the more concrete problems affecting the sector's development and allow Italian companies to compete on a level playing field with operators in other European countries,' Mr Peviani concluded.