The price of wheat goes up, but the price of industrial pasta remains the same today … there is something that does not add up.
Of course, at this moment the pasta manufacturers have to deal with a market that has a constantly growing demand, and with an insufficient supply of product to satisfy it. And this is precisely the problem: the increase in the price of wheat which would seem to continue, at least in the near immediate future. And all this is certainly and inevitably connected to the incredible droughts that hit Canada (one of the largest producers and exporters of wheat in the world) and to the terrible floods that occurred in Europe, especially in France, during the most delicate period for the success of the wheat cultivation: flowering and harvesting. So, once again we see ourselves in the queue of Canada which decides, consciously or not, the economic fate of the farmers of the beautiful country, once remembered as the “Granary of Europe” thanks to our land Sicily.
In Europe it is estimated about 15.17% less production and in Canada by almost double. The difference with the crisis of 2008 and that of 2014 is that these lasted about two / three months, also reporting serious consequences in the processing industry market which was unable to deal with large retailers. Today’s difference is that, for the first time, we will certainly have to walk together to ensure a sale of pasta in line with costs but also with the needs of consumers.
Even more, therefore, we should be attentive to the quality of the product we eat. We look closely at what happens and what will happen. We support the production chains, from the farmer to the consumer, because they are the ones that guarantee the traceability of the product, the quality, the genuineness, the wholesomeness, the fair remuneration of the grain and the correct price of pasta for consumers. Artisan pasta factories have understood all this for some time, and that is why we have a duty, in our interest as consumers, to support them.
Only one question remains open: how does large-scale distribution intend to face and support this particular moment?
Soon an Academy proposal!
