Skyrocketing prices in Italy for hot peppers as well, with some varieties 50% more expensive in one year. The blame - again - lies with the weather, which has caused production to plummet. Alsia (Lucanian Agency for Development and Innovation in Agriculture) estimates that gross saleable production referring to one hectare is around 12 tons. Comparing in detail the costs of production and the achievable income in the marketing of the product, the value of sales, against an investment of about 12 thousand and 500 euros - which includes plowing, fertilization, cost of seedlings, irrigation, weeding and harvesting - at an average selling price of 2 euros per kg, would be 24 thousand euros, so with a profit return of twice the expenses. The high demand for chili peppers in Italy is also confirmed by CREA, the research organization of the Ministry of Agriculture. "National production," it certifies, "is scarce and covers only 30 percent of requirements. Every year, two thousand tons arrive from China, Egypt, Turkey at bargain prices (one-fifth less), but low quality standards, which penalize Made in Italy fruits". In Italy, from ten kilos of fresh chili peppers you get a kilo of dried product, ground into 100% pure powder and marketable between 15 and 20 euros, while the same product from China costs only 3 euros, and "is the result of very coarse processing and with poor quality guarantees".
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