Foreign trade in full sail

摘要

In the course of a review of the political and economic situation facing Italian fruit and vegetable producers, the president of Aneioa ( Associazione nazionale exportatori importatori ortofrutticoli e agrumari = the national association of fruit and vegetable exporters and importers) welcomed the advent of the Euro. The question of labelling and the traceability of produce should not be obligatory and creates problems for Italy where much of the production comes from very small units but is generally acknowledged to achieve a high level of consumer safety. EU harmonization on maximum permitted residues and quality control is urgently needed, especially with the prospect of enlargement, which will have a major impact on agricultural policy. The paradox of high unemployment in agriculture combined with labour shortages, especially skilled labour, leading to an influx of foreign farm workers requires urgent action by the Italian government. In its role as a political pressure group, Aneioa has joined the Brussels based European Fresh Produce Association where it has a seat on the steering committee as well as providing the president of the export division. It is also engaged in promotional activities both within the EU and in the third world. Statistics are provided of trends in world consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables from 1999 to 2001 and in Italian imports and exports both in the field as a whole and of individual species (peaches, kiwifruit, table grapes, pears, cherries and tomatoes).