Palermo, 20 November (Adnkronos) – Introduced on Lidl counters in 2020, currently Sicilian avocados are sold in more than 780 stores in the country with more than 172 tonnes purchased in the 2024/2025 season alone. These results were obtained thanks to the synergy of the Italian agricultural supply chain in collaboration with Coldiretti farmers. The data were presented today in Giarre, in the province of Catania, at a press conference organized by Lidl Italy. Avocados are the most popular tropical crop currently in Italy, and also represent a great opportunity for Sicily which, with a current total production of around 800 tons per year, is one of the main producers. Lidl Italy is gradually expanding distribution of Sicilian avocados with the ‘Signed by Italian Farmers’ brand affixed to its products as a seal of guaranteed supply chain.
“Sicilian avocados are a clear example of our support for the Italian agri-food system – says Eduardo Tursi, at Lidl Italia Purchasing – Thanks to the collaboration with the Italian Agricultural Supply Chain, we offer our customers a super short supply chain product, an expression of the region and local agricultural businesses that have chosen to innovate by turning the threat of tropicalization into an opportunity. In the last year alone, we have increased our purchases of Italian avocados by 120% compared to the previous year. We will continue to believe in this and other 100% Italian products produced from agricultural knowledge of our country.”
“The collaboration between Lidl and Filiera Agricola Italiana, which started in 2018, is a clear example of how large-scale retail trade and the agricultural world can grow together, offering consumers transparent, quality products and, at the same time, supporting the work of Italian farmers – added Ettore Prandini, president of Coldiretti and Filiera Agricola Italiana – The ‘Signed by the Italian Farmer’ brand guarantees a traceable and controlled supply chain all the way to the field, with raw materials guaranteed 100% of Italian origin and produced with full respect for the environment and the call of the region. Fdai’s Sicilian avocado project is a model of a short and sustainable supply chain: opportunities for agricultural innovation arise from critical issues such as climate problems, recovery of abandoned lands and involve producers who have chosen to invest in the future, adapting crops to the new climate and improving water management”.
