The obligatory use of biodegradable bags in Italy for fruit and vegetable purchases is impacting sales in the sector, a study has found.
A study by ISMEA, based on Nielsen data, reported a 3.5% decline in volume and 7.5% in expenditure on 'bulk' fruit and vegetables during the first quarter of 2018.
At the same time, the study found that there was an unprecedented surge in purchases of pre-packaged fresh fruit and vegetables, which rose by 11% in volume and +6.5% in value terms.
In the first three months of 2018, consumption of both fresh and packaged fruit and vegetables grew by almost 1% year-on-year.
Potatoes (+3%), prepared fruit and vegetables (+3%) and citrus fruits (+ 6%) were among the sub categories to see the most growth in the period.
Biodegradable Bags
The obligatory use of biodegradable bags in Italy was introduced by Law123/2017 law, which states that 'with the exception of the commercialisation of biodegradable and compostable plastic bags, the commercialisation of ultralight plastic bags is forbidden'.
This is in line with an EU directive on packaging materials, that allows Member States to introduce economic instruments such as price fixing, taxes and levies for biodegradable bags, provided they lead to a sustained reduction in the use of plastic bags.
The Italian government introduced a surcharge for biodegradable shopper bags from 1 January 2018.
Following a public outcry against the new legislation, lawmakers issued a further ruling in March that enabled supermarket shoppers to bring their own fruit and vegetable bags from home, provided they are also biodegradable.
Street Vendors
Meanwhile, a study by consumers association Codacons has found that almost three out for four bags used by market stalls and street vendors are not in conformity with the new legislation.
The research, conducted in 15 Italian cities, revealed that 72.1% of stalls do not use non-biodegradable plastic bags and therefore are not in compliance with the legislation.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine
