The Covid 19 closure makes us eat better. The will to fight the aggression of the virus in any way and with any system has prompted Italian families to take care of their diet as never before. The basic necessities are all there and for days we have seen the race for supermarket shelves. Comparisons with the post-war period – experienced by a small minority of the population – are therefore completely out of place. It is bought and consumed despite the lockdown.
Famous all over the world like the people of macaroni (who doesn't remember Alberto Sordi in an "American in Rome"?) in these days of quarantine Italians ate more rice. They have not surpassed the Chinese, to whom they send several tons, but they have increased sales by almost 50%. Indeed, says Coldiretti, the demand for rice has exceeded that for pasta. All equipped with bowls and chopsticks? Not exactly. Rice is good for you, it is a Made in Italy excellence and is recognized as one of the most sustainable in the world. The historic cultivation areas, controlled by a national body, have a great biodiversity. Immense expanses that accompanied the Italian leap towards the industrial economy model without losing its identity and peasant flavor. A mixture of traditions, humanity, hard work and sacrifices.
By virtue of the different qualities and cultivations protected for many years, Italy has become the leading rice producer in Europe. The crops have reached 220 hectares. Every year 4 thousand companies collect 1,40 million tons of product: 50% of what circulates in the EU. In tragic weeks where the food self-sufficiency of the EU is at risk due to Covid 19, the coronavirus has accentuated competition on the world market. But we must always distinguish the quality and how the rice is processed.
Secondo Coldiretti the world's major producers have been accumulating strategic stocks in recent weeks as a result of the pandemic. Vietnam has restricted exports, Bangladesh has blocked them for domestic consumption, in Thailand prices have risen to the highest value since 2013. And in China? It remains the country with the highest consumption in the world and 700 million tons of it are produced throughout Asia. Nevertheless while our purchases in supermarkets increased, the agreement on the importation of Italian rice was signed in Beijing. An acknowledgment of eco-sustainable, non-impactful cultivation systems.
After some negotiations, the Chinese Customs Administration gave the green light to the entry of quality Carnaroli, Arborio, Vialone Nano, S. Andrea and Baldo. A 550 million euro agreement that could mean a further boost to exports of PDO and IGT rice in the world. The Chinese one" it is an important agreement - said Minister Teresa Bellanova - which establishes the phytosanitary requirements to be met in order to export rice to China”. The next few months will therefore be decisive for understanding whether rice-based food will hold up to competition from products from countries now grappling with the epidemic. The most important steps have been taken. And it will be understood even if the Italians at the table will no longer be seen only as imitators of Alberto Sordi. With all due respect to the great actor.
