Domestic production of chestnuts plummeting

This year there will be more imported chestnuts than Italian ones. 

Coldiretti, the farmers' organization, announces that this is the first time in history that imported chestnuts will exceed domestic production. Italian production is estimated at less than 18 million pounds.

The collapse of production (-70%) was caused by unfavorable weather conditions but also by an insect pest. The Cinipide of the chestnut tree is a parasite that arrived in Italy from China.

Since its first ravages, imports have not continued to increase. Coldiretti estimated that imports have increased by 20% during the first seven months of 2013, after doubling in 2012 and almost tripled compared to 2010. This year most chestnuts tasted in Italy will arrive mainly from Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Slovenia.

source : coldiretti it