THEL increase in energy prices and the prices of fuel skyrocketing (the so-called expensive diesel) they are also penalizing the fishermen. To pay the consequences, then, are the fishing companies and the entire supply chain that revolves around it. As a response to the expensive diesel, the fishing boats have launched one strike seven days last week: workers are hoping for quick answers from the government to avoid having to cease the activities that bring with them decades of history. And meanwhile also consumers run out of fish. Fish has already become almost impossible to find in most Italian markets. Not only that: the scarce goods that can still be found are more expensive than 30% wholesale and 50% retail, that is to say in restaurants and fishmongers.
Businesses in difficulty and product shortages
CAR – Rome Agri-food Centerthe first fish market in Italyin which about 800 thousand quintals of fish are sold per year.
closeup of a fisherman on board sorting the fish freshly fished as his boat arrives at the fishing por
“There will be a shortage of local product which is an important component of the marketed product.” Like this Fabio Massimo Pallottini, general manager of the Rome Agri-food center, commented on the news of the strike. “The difficulties that fishing companies are experiencing with a sudden doubling of the cost of fuel affect the entire supply chain, as the fish is transported in a cold chain system resulting in a high absorption of energy consumption”, he continued.
Expensive diesel fuel: fishermen on strike for a week
Stopped by the expensive diesel, the fishing boats did not lower their nets for the whole week, until Saturday 12 March. A decision, that of the lockout, which hopes to draw the government’s attention toincrease in the price of fuelthe last cleaver in chronological order for a sector already suffering.
The increase in fuel, with the average price of diesel fuel for fishing, which second Coldiretti Fishing company it has practically doubled (+ 90%) compared to last year, not only represents an important deterrent for those who have to travel by fishing boats in search of fresh fish, but is putting fishing activities at serious risk.
Why will consumers also lose out?
Thus the refusal of fishermen to go out to sea to give a signal to the government translates into less fish for consumersunaware victims of the continuing price increases.
The fear is not only for a difficult supply, but also for a probable repercussion on shopping basket. The danger for the consumer is having to give up quality Italian products, or to find them in the refrigerated counter or at the fishmonger at higher prices due to their scarcity.
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