It is a good sign for sustainability and road traffic for deliveries. The lockdown for Covid has shortened the Italian agri-food distribution chain. Millions of people crammed into their homes for months have chosen to purchase groceries directly. Worried about having contacts on the streets and in shops, they contacted the manufacturing companies, without using cars or private vehicles. The farms, all together from North to South, rejoice. At the end of the year, their direct sales channel will exceed 6,5 billion euros in turnover. They didn't expect it, they managed the situation, so there are dozens who are now organizing themselves better to keep up the trend.
The Institute of Services for the Agricultural Food Market, in the quarterly survey on farms, has certified the phenomenon. Manufacturers have increased their sales volume by 5% compared to 2019 and are thinking about how to face 2021. They also hope that Covid 19 will mitigate its threat, and that the system will grow regardless of the pandemic. We therefore have a shorter supply chain, which convinces, makes the circulation of land products in our country easier and "greener". Not only that, explains Ismea, those who have adopted the direct sales channel allocate an average of 82% of the company's production to it. A jump of 9 percentage points on last year.
In 2020, direct sales are the third favorite channel for farmers, after the transfer to cooperatives, consortia and sales to wholesalers and commercial intermediaries. But on balance, consumers are the added value of a way of shopping for the table that was unknown until two years ago. Of course, the distribution system, the markets, the sale in neighborhood shops are affected, but the long Italian supply chain is still too little green. Faster sellers and buyers than policy makers.
