Sardegna, pastori pronti alla mobilitazione per prezzo del latte e rincari

Pastori sardi are ready to mobilize over milk prices and rising costs once again. Seven years after the "milk war," the protest is resuming. The central issue is the price of milk, high energy and feed costs. Farmers have complained that the situation is worse than in 2019, according to an assembly in Tramatza, where 600 pastoralists, union representatives, and industry representatives discussed the price of ovine milk and animal diseases.

Gianuario Falchi, speaking for the pastoralists, emphasized that "today's situation is worse than in 2019, when a quintal of feed cost 25-30 euros, now it's 55 euros. Feed was 35 euros, now it's 120 euros, and agricultural gasoline went from 50 cents per liter to 1.70 euros. We urgently need to know if the 2026-2027 milk campaign will be scheduled."

The assembly also included several mayors and dairy industry executives who listened to the farmers' grievances and presented a new strategy to manage the market, including the withdrawal of 3,000 tons of Pecorino Romano to maintain a balance between the value of the protected designation of origin (DOP) cheese and the producers' remuneration. The discussion centered on the industry's current state and market prospects, based on data regarding production, sales, inventories, prices, and costs.

In recent months, the region has involved agricultural organizations and cooperatives in defining support interventions for the sector. This includes financial instruments decided by the regional government with regional financial support Sfirs, mini-bonds, and measures for destocking, all of which will be presented at the table along with their operational modes.

Additionally, a 25 million euro fund has been allocated by the regional council to help mitigate the increase in production costs, with particular attention to the expensive fuel. Meanwhile, on October 13th, the regional Agriculture Department convened a table for the ovine dairy industry in Oristano. Consequently, another demonstration is expected in Cagliari by October.