Kenya is currently the leading supplier of basil to Europe

"80% of European basil supplies currently come from Kenya, a leading country for the winter market. The produce arrives via chilled air cargo, so deliveries are guaranteed within half a day. Then there are also other producer countries such as Israel, which though delivers the produce at a higher price, and Morocco, whose produce is cheaper though the quality is not as good," explains Luigi D'Aniello, manager at Ludan Fresh Supplies di Eboli (Salerno). European basil markets and Italy"The summer basil campaign in Italy did not start very well due to the humid and rainy weather in mid-March/early April, which is when sowing is carried out. Many early sowing operations failed, so producers were forced to perform them again. Harvesting started in June, which was a very pleasing month in both productive and commercial terms as prices and demand were good, yields were excellent, and good quantities were sold," reports the entrepreneur. "The situation, however, changed in early July ...