Struggle to rescue field productions following Melavi's bankruptcy
In the heart of northern Italy, the cooperative Melavi, once the backbone of apple production in Valtellina, has shut down due to financial mismanagement and operational difficulties. This sudden closure has left many local apple growers in a precarious situation, as the cooperative was crucial for processing, marketing, and selling their apples.
The closure of Melavi, which handled approximately 85% of Valtellina's apple production, has left 70 to 140 of its members without protection, and many seasonal workers have had to find new jobs with other producers in the territory. However, the local community, agricultural associations, and regional authorities have rallied together to support these affected growers.
A coalition of volunteers has formed with the aim of providing an outlet for the many apple growers left without a cooperative. The goal is to ensure that these farmers can continue producing and selling their apples despite losing the cooperative's structure and services. Some growers are even exploring the possibility of forming new cooperative models or joining other existing organizations to regain a collective market presence.
The rescue operation was announced by two regional assessors, Alessandro Beduschi (Agriculture) and Massimo Sertori (Mountains), at the beginning of July. The aim is to secure the 2025 campaign and the harvest of the apple growers affected by the failure of Melavi. The coalition represents 60% of the current production and marketing of Valtellina apples, which, apart from bresaola and wine, are among the most representative crops in Valtellina's agricultural world, according to Valter Rossi, secretary of Flai-Cgil Sondrio.
It's important to note that Melavi's decline was not due to a drop in consumption, Trentino's competition, or issues related to pests or climate change. Instead, it was due to a loss-making management with costs too high compared to turnover, leading to the declaration of a preventive concordat by Melavi due to the cessation of its activities.
In its peak, Melavi was initially capable of handling 300,000 quintals of apples a year, a merger of three cooperatives, and aimed to be Valtellina's response to Trentino's Melinda. However, the 2024 harvest at Melavi stopped at 68,000 quintals, significantly less than its initial potential.
The resilience of the Valtellina apple growers, coupled with the support of the local community and regional authorities, offers hope for a brighter future for apple production in the region. As the coalition works tirelessly to support these growers, they are one step closer to securing a sustainable future for apple farming in Valtellina.
- The affected apple growers, having lost the cooperative's structure and services, are now exploring new business models, such as forming new cooperative models or joining existing ones to regain a collective market presence.
- In an effort to secure the 2025 campaign and the harvest of the apple growers, a coalition representing 60% of Valtellina's apple production and marketing has been formed, aiming to ensure a sustainable future for apple farming in the region.
