Kiwifruit, ok for the return of the phytostimulant Dormex against production collapse

It is the molecule that has in fact largely determined the relocation of Italian kiwi companies to Greece - because in times of climate change it saves production - and the tangible example of what fruit and vegetable entrepreneurs mean when they speak of'reciprocity'.
Banned in Italy on the basis of European regulations, but authorised by way of derogation in the Greek country, Dormex has just obtained from our Ministry of Health a temporary authorisation for use, on the kiwi crop only, in the southern regions of Italia.

The fruit and vegetable sectorcollects with satisfaction: 'The authorisation represents a concrete response to the needs expressed by producers and represented by us to the Ministry of Agriculture,' declare, among others, Andrea Badursi and Vincenzo Falconi, president and director respectively of Italia Ortofrutta-Unione Nazionale.

In Greece, in recent years, the volume of kiwifruit produced has skyrocketed to 400 thousand tonnes; in Italia, on the other hand, it has fallen from 550 thousand tonnes produced, below 200 thousand tonnes and many companies have moved 'to Athens' so as not to lose markets built up over fifty years. Also in terms of exports, Italia continues to lose market share (-40% in the last ten years), while Greece runs (+30% in the same period).

Used mainly on grapes, cherries and kiwis, Dormex is a kind of 'chemical switch' that replaces the natural cold stimulus. Banned in 2008 by the EU due to its high toxicity (especially for those working in direct contact with the fields and the environment), in Italia it has always been treated with a cautious approach and all requests for derogation authorisations over the years have been rejected.

The fact that Greece has already granted "emergency use" for this agricultural year too would have exposed Italia to a competitive disadvantage with regard to the marketing of Italy's leading fruit and vegetable product. A form of 'unfair competition' that has softened the Health Ministry with respect to a temporary green light that will only be valid for 45 days in the regions of Latium, Campania, Basilicata, Calabria and Apulia and only for kiwis (not grapes).