The potato supply chain has duly responded to the COVID-19 emergency with a sense of responsibility and continues to work while ensuring product availability, quality and safety for consumers.

Prices during this health emergency are in line with those from last year; the only fluctuations are linked to a change in production area. 

The spike in sales recorded in March used up the potato supplies from the 2019 harvest approximately one month earlier than anticipated. The harvesting of new potatoes in Sicily got into full swing from the first few days of April, a unique high-quality Italian product, which will be available until the end of May.

The new potatoes this year are excellent, despite the not always favourable weather conditions. The yield is as standard, thanks partly to the performance of varieties such as Arizona and Vogue, which are now the go-to varieties for Sicily.

The price of Sicilian new potatoes, at the start of this harvest, is very much in line with that from last year, despite the difficulties in finding labour and the restrictions laid down by various Decrees issued for the COVID-19 emergency. Haulage services are also currently applying the same rates as last year, even though logistical issues are being reported, especially on north-south routes, due to the lack of goods coming back to the South following the halt in production primarily affecting regions in northern Italy.