"Stefano Verri's Appeal: Preserving the Tonda Gentile"
The Piedmont hazelnut sector, a niche product renowned for its high prices, is currently grappling with severe production losses and financial difficulties. According to Stefano Verri, the son of one of the founders of the Corilu company in Lu Cuccaro Monferrato, the 2025 harvest is expected to see drastic reductions, with possible losses reaching up to 80%. This grim forecast echoes an economic outlook where companies are losing more than 70-80% of their revenue, making income generation nearly impossible under current production cost structures.
The challenges faced by the sector stem largely from adverse climatic conditions and potentially other agronomic factors impacting yield. The precariousness of the hazelnut supply chain is further worsened by global issues such as frost damage in Turkey, a major hazelnut producer, causing disruptions for international buyers including Ferrero—a key stakeholder with roots in the Piedmont region.
In response to these challenges, proposed solutions and strategies aim at enhancing sustainability and improving the resilience of hazelnut cultivation. Scientific approaches focus on utilizing Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) as biostimulants to boost early-stage growth, improve nutrient uptake, and enhance plant resistance to abiotic stresses and diseases.
Advanced traceability and sustainability practices are also a priority for major buyers like Ferrero. Their 2024 Sustainability Report emphasizes increased traceability of hazelnuts (94%), efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting sustainable agriculture practices that can benefit hazelnut growers directly or indirectly.
In the face of these challenges, the Corilu company, which processes approximately 300 tons of hazelnuts, is leading the way in seeking solutions. The company, which was established in 1996 and initially dedicated exclusively to agriculture, reintroduced hazelnut culture to the area. In 2015, a processing company was founded by the Corilu company to further support the sector.
Urgent solutions are sought from the technical working table led by Fondazione Agrion and the Region to support the Piedmont Hazelnut sector. Proposed solutions include direct aid to farmers, fertilization strategies, and targeted and free consultations on individual situations. Long-term planning and diversification of supply sources are also crucial strategies in navigating the current crisis.
In conclusion, a combined approach of addressing biological, environmental, and supply chain factors is essential to tackling the present crisis in the Piedmont hazelnut sector. The resilience and adaptability demonstrated by companies like Corilu and leaders like Stefano Verri are key to the sector's future.
[1] Corilu Company Press Release, www.corilu.it/press-release [2] Ferrero Group Sustainability Report 2024, www.ferrero.com/sustainability-report-2024 [3] Scientific Research Paper on Piedmont Hazelnut Cultivation, www.researchgate.net/publication/341138487 [4] Fondazione Agrion Technical Working Table Report, www.fondazioneagrion.it/tavolo-tecnico
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