Latest news with #Coldiretti
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
Italian mafia gangs now target ‘green gold' as olive oil value surges
Police are hunting five masked men who forced a lorry driver off the road in southern Italy before detaining him at gunpoint and making off with his highly-prized cargo. The paramilitary operation in the Italian region of Puglia, best known for its Baroque treasures, slow food and breathtaking coastline, happened earlier this month and shocked the country. But there were no priceless artworks, jewels or drugs on board the lorry – only crates of fresh olive oil worth an estimated £260,000. This latest robbery highlights the alarming penetration of organised crime into the production of one of Italy's biggest agricultural exports. With olive oil now fetching up to €15 (£13) a litre, mafia gangs are targeting what's known as 'green gold'. In a region that produces 40 per cent of the nation's olive oil, producers are taking drastic measures to protect their olives at every stage of the production process. Coldiretti, the country's largest farmers' organisation, is urging its member to use helicopter surveillance, mount GPS tracking devices on olive oil tanks and demand police escorts to move the finished product across the region. Pietro Piccioni, the director of Coldiretti's branch in Bari, said: 'During the harvesting period, marauders across the countryside raid the olives that have to be guarded like diamonds at night and escorted during transfers to the olive mills. 'Then the oil mills are forced to notify the police before letting trucks of extra virgin oil leave.' Leonardo Palmisano, a sociologist and mafia expert, said: 'Puglian mafia organisations are hiring specialised international criminals to carry out these attacks. 'It is at such a high level that they send thieves from other parts of Europe, like they do with car robberies, and then they immediately move the stolen oil into the market for bottling and distribution. 'Olive oil can be stolen and sold for half the price, and sometimes the robberies are even commissioned by mafia-run businesses masquerading as legitimate companies.' But criminal gangs are also plundering Puglia's olive groves at source. Using sledgehammers to assault the trees, gang members can steal more than 30kg (65lb) of olives per tree in just a few minutes. The gangs drag nets under the olive trees as accomplices beat the branches to collect as many of the falling olives as possible, often causing irreparable damage. Coldiretti said these types of robberies had increased over the past three years but often went unreported because of the fear of violence. Officials are calling on producers to report the incidents to police, even anonymously, so they can tackle the spread of organised crime. Nicola Di Noia, the director-general of the Italian oil consortium Uniprol, said: 'Agriculture needs greater protection. 'Where there is economic opportunity, there is criminality, agriculture is just like anything else.' Olives are grown across more than 300,000 hectares (900,000 acres) in Puglia and generate more than €1 billion (£860 million) in annual sales. Widespread drought and rising production costs have contributed to a surge in prices, making it ripe for exploitation. Producers in northern Puglia are also facing a threat from the bacterium, Xylella, which has destroyed 21 million plants in the Salento region further south. The Italian mafia has a history of subterfuge involving the prized oil. In 2017, it was revealed the the 'Ndrangheta were exporting fake extra virgin olive oil to the United States, simply re-labelling cheap olive pomace oil. 'Criminals don't have a problem smuggling children, animals or drugs,' said Mr Di Noia. 'We shouldn't be shocked to hear that they are going after olive oil, even though we are more accustomed to seeing assaults on armoured security vans than lorries. 'For these criminals who have no problem stealing, it doesn't matter if it is drugs one day or parmesan cheese another day or olive oil the next.' Lazzaro D'Auria, who grows tomatoes, fennel, wheat and olives near Foggia, has paid a heavy price for facing down the mafia. He has lived under 24-hour police protection since 2017 when a mafia boss put a gun to his head, demanding €200,000 a year in extortion payments. After two years of threats and intimidation, he went to the police and has campaigned against the mafia ever since. 'It takes strength and willpower,' Mr D'Auria said. 'The police do everything they can and we are fighting the mafia together. But it is so embedded in Foggia, it is difficult to destroy it or get away from it.' While the Sacra Corona, sometimes referred to as Italy's 'Fourth Mafia', is found in southern Puglia, local mafia groups dominate agricultural production in the northern part of the region around Foggia and collaborate with Albanian and other mafia. Renato Nitti, a highly respected prosecutor based in Trani, said recently the power of Puglia's mafia had been underestimated compared to other criminal organisations operating elsewhere in Italy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
13-04-2025
- Telegraph
Italian mafia gangs now target ‘green gold' as olive oil value surges
Police are hunting five masked men who forced a lorry driver off the road in southern Italy before detaining him at gunpoint and making off with his highly-prized cargo. The paramilitary operation in the Italian region of Puglia, best known for its Baroque treasures, slow food and breathtaking coastline, happened earlier this month and shocked the country. But there were no priceless artworks, jewels or drugs on board the lorry – only crates of fresh olive oil worth an estimated £260,000. This latest robbery highlights the alarming penetration of organised crime into the production of one of Italy's biggest agricultural exports. With olive oil now fetching up to €15 (£13) a litre, mafia gangs are targeting what's known as 'green gold'. In a region that produces 40 per cent of the nation's olive oil, producers are taking drastic measures to protect their olives at every stage of the production process. 'Olives have to be guarded like diamonds at night' Coldiretti, the country's largest farmers' organisation, is urging its member to use helicopter surveillance, mount GPS tracking devices on olive oil tanks and demand police escorts to move the finished product across the region. Pietro Piccioni, the director of Coldiretti's branch in Bari, said: 'During the harvesting period, marauders across the countryside raid the olives that have to be guarded like diamonds at night and escorted during transfers to the olive mills. 'Then the oil mills are forced to notify the police before letting trucks of extra virgin oil leave.' Leonardo Palmisano, a sociologist and mafia expert, said: 'Puglian mafia organisations are hiring specialised international criminals to carry out these attacks. 'It is at such a high level that they send thieves from other parts of Europe, like they do with car robberies, and then they immediately move the stolen oil into the market for bottling and distribution. 'Olive oil can be stolen and sold for half the price, and sometimes the robberies are even commissioned by mafia-run businesses masquerading as legitimate companies.' But criminal gangs are also plundering Puglia's olive groves at source. Using sledgehammers to assault the trees, gang members can steal more than 30kg (65lb) of olives per tree in just a few minutes. The gangs drag nets under the olive trees as accomplices beat the branches to collect as many of the falling olives as possible, often causing irreparable damage. Coldiretti said these types of robberies had increased over the past three years but often went unreported because of the fear of violence. Officials are calling on producers to report the incidents to police, even anonymously, so they can tackle the spread of organised crime. Nicola Di Noia, the director-general of the Italian oil consortium Uniprol, said: 'Agriculture needs greater protection. 'Where there is economic opportunity, there is criminality, agriculture is just like anything else.' Olives are grown across more than 300,000 hectares (900,000 acres) in Puglia and generate more than €1 billion (£860 million) in annual sales. Widespread drought and rising production costs have contributed to a surge in prices, making it ripe for exploitation. Producers in northern Puglia are also facing a threat from the bacterium, Xylella, which has destroyed 21 million plants in the Salento region further south. The Italian mafia has a history of subterfuge involving the prized oil. In 2017, it was revealed the the ' Ndrangheta were exporting fake extra virgin olive oil to the United States, simply re-labelling cheap olive pomace oil. 'Criminals don't have a problem smuggling children, animals or drugs,' said Mr Di Noia. 'We shouldn't be shocked to hear that they are going after olive oil, even though we are more accustomed to seeing assaults on armoured security vans than lorries. 'For these criminals who have no problem stealing, it doesn't matter if it is drugs one day or parmesan cheese another day or olive oil the next.' Lazzaro D'Auria, who grows tomatoes, fennel, wheat and olives near Foggia, has paid a heavy price for facing down the mafia. He has lived under 24-hour police protection since 2017 when a mafia boss put a gun to his head, demanding €200,000 a year in extortion payments. After two years of threats and intimidation, he went to the police and has campaigned against the mafia ever since. 'It takes strength and willpower,' Mr D'Auria said. 'The police do everything they can and we are fighting the mafia together. But it is so embedded in Foggia, it is difficult to destroy it or get away from it.' While the Sacra Corona, sometimes referred to as Italy's 'Fourth Mafia', is found in southern Puglia, local mafia groups dominate agricultural production in the northern part of the region around Foggia and collaborate with Albanian and other mafia. Renato Nitti, a highly respected prosecutor based in Trani, said recently the power of Puglia's mafia had been underestimated compared to other criminal organisations operating elsewhere in Italy.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Europe hopes for Trump tariffs deal but prepares for the worst
Europe's leaders had been preparing for "Trump's trade war" - but the reality of a 20% blanket US tariff still came as a shock. "This decision is a catastrophe for the economic world," said French Prime Minister François Bayrou. "The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe," said the EU's Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who was on a trip to Central Asia. The message from the EU, which has the task of responding on behalf of its 27 member states, is that Europe is ready to negotiate with the US but at the same time poised to hit back too. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic aims to talk tariffs with his US counterparts on Friday. "We'll act in a calm, carefully phased, unified way, as we calibrate our response, while allowing adequate time for talks," he said. For every European country, President Donald Trump's tariffs will be a severe blow, and national governments have been trying to allay the fears of industry and commerce. Italy's Giorgia Meloni – who until Wednesday seemed more reluctant than others to retaliate in kind against the US – cleared her diary and hastily summoned ministers and business leaders to an emergency summit. Italy exports €1.6bn (£1.35bn) worth of agrifood products and €2bn worth of wine to the US, Alessandro Apolito of the country's main farmers' organisation Coldiretti told the BBC. Aside from economic losses, he says there is a risk that US consumers will turn to imitations, capturing market share that would otherwise go to authentic Italian products. In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected Trump's claim that the EU was imposing 39% tariffs on US goods, insisting in reality it was just 3%. "It's just an excuse to punish countries and implement sterile protectionism. The trade war will affect everyone, but it'll hit the one imposing it most of all," he warned. The Spanish Chamber of Commerce fears a 14% cut in exports to the US, especially in machinery and electrical equipment. Sánchez has announced a €14.1bn response plan to help business with finance and look for new markets beyond the US. Slovakia is more exposed than most EU countries, because of its heavy reliance on industrial exports, and some economists are warning of a deep fall in economic output of at least 2.5% in just two years. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of a potential 0.4% fall in its economic output this year. Even before Trump's announcement, the French government had revised down expected growth this year to 0.7%. At a glance: The countries hit hardest by these plans Watch: Three things to know about Trump's plans Global reaction: How five big economies see new Trump tariffs The French wine and spirits sector in particular is likely to be hit. The head of one of the main wine organisations, Jérôme Bauer, has warned of a net loss of €1bn (£835m) to France's wine industry. Italy's winemakers are holding their breath too. "We've halted exports for almost two weeks now. Everything is paralysed, because clients aren't placing orders and importers aren't importing," says Stefano Leone of Marchesi Antinori, a winery in Tuscany with over six centuries of history. The US accounts for 12 to 13% of total sales, and Leone says the company is in a state of limbo. "We're waiting to understand what decisions to make, depending also on any countermeasures the European Union may adopt in response to the United States. We're hoping some form of negotiation will take place and lead to a concrete outcome." Sentiment across Europe's markets was glum as investors sold shares considered most vulnerable to Trump's tariffs. One of the big German companies, Adidas, saw 12% of its value wiped off the stock market. Small companies as well as large are going to be hit. "This is the first year we've started exporting to the United States, and the tariffs affect us even more directly," says Rocco Mangiaracina, who runs a small family business producing 20,000 bottles of olive oil a year in Sicily. "Only a week ago, we sent our first 900 bottles to the American market." French government spokeswoman Sophie Primas said "we are ready for this trade war", but added that "the [European] Union must be strong, it must be united for this". Europe's biggest economy, Germany, was quick to call out an "unprecedented attack on the international trading system, free trade, and global supply chains". But Germany is still waiting for chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz to form a government, so it was up to acting chancellor Olaf Scholz to point out that the "world's strongest internal market with 450 million consumers" gave Europe strength. So how will the EU respond and can it stay united? BBC Verify: How were Donald Trump's tariffs calculated? UK: What this means for you and your money Explainer: What are tariffs, and why is Trump using them? US analysis: Trump's tariffs are his biggest gamble yet It has already laid out a measured response. From mid-April, a first package of EU tariffs worth up to €26bn will be slapped on US goods, in retaliation for 25% US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium exports which were already announced in March. These had been put back to give space for a negotiated solution. If they go ahead they'll cover a wide range of agricultural, food and textile goods. Discussions are currently under way on an even bigger package of countermeasures that are due to come in at the end of April. In von der Leyen's words, Europe "holds a lot of cards". Further measures would not just include US goods, but potentially its digital services too. Trump complains about the US trade deficit with the EU, but with services the US has a €109bn trade surplus with the EU, according to Brussels. If the EU decides to impose tariffs or restrictions on Big Tech services or limiting US access to public contracts, it could use what some have labelled its "big bazooka" - more drily known as the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI). That would need majority support from EU member states, but it is a powerful weapon when Europe's businesses are under threat. Peter Dige Thagesen, head of geopolitics at the Danish Industry board, told the BBC that Trump "threw a hand grenade right into global trade, creating enormous uncertainty". He said US tariffs would hit smallest companies that exported to the US the hardest. While the EU had to respond proportionately, he said it had to keep negotiating to avoid a deeper trade war. While the majority of European leaders were quick to condemn the US tariffs, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto laid the blame squarely at the EU's feet. Hungary's leader, Viktor Orban, is widely seen as Trump's biggest ally in Europe. "It has again been proven that in Brussels incompetent people are leading the European institutions, who are also suffering from a very serious Trump-phobia," said Szijjarto. Although Norway is not an EU member state, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the US decision to impose a 15% tariff was "bad news" that would have consequences for many Norwegian companies and jobs. Norway is primarily an exporter and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg fears it could be hit by a "triple squeeze". Not just by Trump tariffs and lower growth, but by the EU's countermeasures too. It could be a trade war with many casualties. Additional reporting by Giulia Tommasi in Rome.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Europe hopes for Trump tariffs deal but prepares for the worst
Europe's leaders had been preparing for "Trump's trade war" - but the reality of a 20% blanket US tariff still came as a shock. "This decision is a catastrophe for the economic world," said French Prime Minister François Bayrou."The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe," said the EU's Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who was on a trip to Central message from the EU, which has the task of responding on behalf of its 27 member states, is that Europe is ready to negotiate with the US but at the same time poised to hit back too. Europe 'calibrates' its response EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic aims to talk tariffs with his US counterparts on Friday."We'll act in a calm, carefully phased, unified way, as we calibrate our response, while allowing adequate time for talks," he every European country, President Donald Trump's tariffs will be a severe blow, and national governments have been trying to allay the fears of industry and Giorgia Meloni – who until Wednesday seemed more reluctant than others to retaliate in kind against the US – cleared her diary and hastily summoned ministers and business leaders to an emergency exports €1.6bn (£1.35bn) worth of agrifood products and €2bn worth of wine to the US, Alessandro Apolito of the country's main farmers' organisation Coldiretti told the BBC. Aside from economic losses, he says there is a risk that US consumers will turn to imitations, capturing market share that would otherwise go to authentic Italian Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected Trump's claim that the EU was imposing 39% tariffs on US goods, insisting in reality it was just 3%. "It's just an excuse to punish countries and implement sterile protectionism. The trade war will affect everyone, but it'll hit the one imposing it most of all," he warned. Europe's businesses hold their breath The Spanish Chamber of Commerce fears a 14% cut in exports to the US, especially in machinery and electrical equipment. Sánchez has announced a €14.1bn response plan to help business with finance and look for new markets beyond the is more exposed than most EU countries, because of its heavy reliance on industrial exports, and some economists are warning of a deep fall in economic output of at least 2.5% in just two Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of a potential 0.4% fall in its economic output this before Trump's announcement, the French government had revised down expected growth this year to 0.7%.At a glance: The countries hit hardest by these plansWatch: Three things to know about Trump's plansGlobal reaction: How five big economies see new Trump tariffs The French wine and spirits sector in particular is likely to be hit. The head of one of the main wine organisations, Jérôme Bauer, has warned of a net loss of €1bn (£835m) to France's wine winemakers are holding their breath too."We've halted exports for almost two weeks now. Everything is paralysed, because clients aren't placing orders and importers aren't importing," says Stefano Leone of Marchesi Antinori, a winery in Tuscany with over six centuries of US accounts for 12 to 13% of total sales, and Leone says the company is in a state of limbo."We're waiting to understand what decisions to make, depending also on any countermeasures the European Union may adopt in response to the United States. We're hoping some form of negotiation will take place and lead to a concrete outcome."Sentiment across Europe's markets was glum as investors sold shares considered most vulnerable to Trump's tariffs. One of the big German companies, Adidas, saw 12% of its value wiped off the stock companies as well as large are going to be hit. "This is the first year we've started exporting to the United States, and the tariffs affect us even more directly," says Rocco Mangiaracina, who runs a small family business producing 20,000 bottles of olive oil a year in Sicily."Only a week ago, we sent our first 900 bottles to the American market."French government spokeswoman Sophie Primas said "we are ready for this trade war", but added that "the [European] Union must be strong, it must be united for this".Europe's biggest economy, Germany, was quick to call out an "unprecedented attack on the international trading system, free trade, and global supply chains".But Germany is still waiting for chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz to form a government, so it was up to acting chancellor Olaf Scholz to point out that the "world's strongest internal market with 450 million consumers" gave Europe how will the EU respond and can it stay united?BBC Verify: How were Donald Trump's tariffs calculated?UK: What this means for you and your moneyExplainer: What are tariffs, and why is Trump using them?US analysis: Trump's tariffs are his biggest gamble yet Retaliation in two steps It has already laid out a measured mid-April, a first package of EU tariffs worth up to €26bn will be slapped on US goods, in retaliation for 25% US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium exports which were already announced in March. These had been put back to give space for a negotiated solution. If they go ahead they'll cover a wide range of agricultural, food and textile are currently under way on an even bigger package of countermeasures that are due to come in at the end of von der Leyen's words, Europe "holds a lot of cards". Further measures would not just include US goods, but potentially its digital services complains about the US trade deficit with the EU, but with services the US has a €109bn trade surplus with the EU, according to the EU decides to impose tariffs or restrictions on Big Tech services or limiting US access to public contracts, it could use what some have labelled its "big bazooka" - more drily known as the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI).That would need majority support from EU member states, but it is a powerful weapon when Europe's businesses are under Dige Thagesen, head of geopolitics at the Danish Industry board, told the BBC that Trump "threw a hand grenade right into global trade, creating enormous uncertainty".He said US tariffs would hit smallest companies that exported to the US the hardest. While the EU had to respond proportionately, he said it had to keep negotiating to avoid a deeper trade the majority of European leaders were quick to condemn the US tariffs, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto laid the blame squarely at the EU's feet. Hungary's leader, Viktor Orban, is widely seen as Trump's biggest ally in Europe."It has again been proven that in Brussels incompetent people are leading the European institutions, who are also suffering from a very serious Trump-phobia," said Norway is not an EU member state, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the US decision to impose a 15% tariff was "bad news" that would have consequences for many Norwegian companies and is primarily an exporter and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg fears it could be hit by a "triple squeeze". Not just by Trump tariffs and lower growth, but by the EU's countermeasures could be a trade war with many reporting by Giulia Tommasi in Rome.
Local Italy
27-03-2025
- Business
- Local Italy
Italian winemakers warn of costly ‘stalemate' in US exports due to tariff fears
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200 percent on European wine and other alcoholic beverages as part of an escalating trade war with the EU. The looming threat has left Italian exports at a standstill, with importers in the United States hesitant to invest in wine shipments that may no longer be able to compete on American supermarket shelves after any potential tariffs, Coldiretti said. "The fear is that cargoes could arrive at their destination when tariffs have already been triggered," it said. "This has created a stalemate, with importers waiting for signals from the Trump administration before placing orders unless there is a shortage of stock," it added. Coldiretti estimated that Italy's wine producers may be losing up to €6 million a day due to orders being put on hold. It also expressed concern over the long-term risk of Italian businesses being forced to leave the American market altogether. Italian wine exports to the United States have boomed in recent years, reaching €1.9 billion last year, according to the Italian Wine Union (UIV). Coldiretti warned that 200-percent levies could see this figure slashed by as much as 70 to 80 percent. Wines from countries not affected by the tariffs would fill in the vacuum left by Italian wine, it said. Italian wine trade federation Federvini estimated on Tuesday that US tariffs on the European alcohol sector would affect nearly 40,000 Italian businesses and 460,0000 workers. Coldiretti has also warned that higher prices for wine and other Italian food products – from olive oil to cheese – due to potential tariffs would lead to higher numbers of fake 'Made in Italy' products on US supermarket shelves. "Rising prices of 'original' items would lead American consumers to turn to other, cheaper goods, starting with so-called 'Italian fakes'," Coldiretti said. The group said that tariffs imposed on several Italian food products during Trump's first stint as president led to a significant drop in Italian exports of fruit (15 percent), meat and processed fish (28 percent), jam (19 percent) and spirits (20 percent). Wine exports decreased by six percent, though they were not initially subject to tariffs, it added.
