2023 Author: Cody Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:20
It is possible that on a package of hazelnuts grown, harvested and sold in Holland, the label is put: " hazelnuts from the Langhe"? And also, so as not to miss anything: " Roman round" or " Giffoni hazelnut"? What then would be the finest Italian varieties?
Okay, we are no longer surprised at anything, often the most imaginative situations become reality, but a little common sense is enough to answer no to the question just posed. There are no Dutch coups with consequent annexation of the Langhe land between Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria.
Yet the Dutch "stole our hazelnuts" and, incredible to say, so far no one had protested.
But how did such a paradox come about?
There is Turkey, which is the world's leading producer of hazelnuts, drastically downsized in recent times due to unexpected frosts, with the inevitable increase in prices.
Example: the hazelnut of the Langhe, the Roman Tonda or that of Giffoni which cost approximately 250 euros per quintal have risen to 350/400 euros. Having said that hazelnuts take at least six years to bear fruit, a business that is tempting, it is clear.
And what did the Dutch do? They have registered three varieties of hazelnuts with Italian toponyms in their national register, coincidentally Tonda gentile delle Langhe, Tonda romana and Tonda di Giffoni.
Something that finally attracted the attention of some Italian MEPs who presented a question about the blatant violation of European regulations: it is not possible to market a plant with the same geographical name of another state.
That is Italy, which boasts 12% of international production, a market share questioned by the extravagant Dutch behavior.