A public and frank discussion. And, above all, a preventive and open discussion. Following the well-attended meeting on September 15th , convened to address the sector's emergencies, the Shepherds Without Flags are returning to Tramatza and inviting the regional health and agriculture councilors, veterinary services managers, and the heads of the consortia for the protection of Sardinian PDO cheeses and milk processing companies. On the agenda: a discussion on the cheese market and the outlook for the price of sheep and goat milk for the 2026/2027 period, as well as an in-depth discussion on the issues related to bovine dermatitis and possible intervention strategies. The meeting is scheduled for October 2nd at 10:30 a.m. at the Hotel Anfora.
The invitation letter is signed by Fabio Pisu, Nenneddu Sanna, Mario Carai, and Gianuario Falchi.
Here is the full text.
"Sardinian shepherds who produce sheep and goat milk, in light of the start of the new 2026/2027 production year, believe it necessary to promote direct and transparent dialogue with the Consortia for the Protection of DOP products and with the processing companies in the sector.
The sector is in fact facing a phase in which the trend of the cheese market, the quantities produced, the levels of stocks, the trend of national and foreign demand and the overall costs of the supply chain represent determining elements in defining the economic conditions under which the milk will have to be delivered and remunerated during the 2026/2027 campaign.
In this context, we believe it is essential that discussions on milk prices not only take place close to contractual deadlines or based on unilateral assessments, but be preceded by a shared and documented analysis of market trends and the supply chain's prospects.
We hereby formally request the Protection Consortia and processing companies to participate in a discussion meeting on the following topics:
- the current situation on the sheep and goat cheese market, with particular reference to PDO products;
- the trend of sales on the domestic market and on foreign markets;
- production levels, stocks and commercial prospects for the 2026/2027 campaign;
- the trend in the prices of processed products and the related prospects;
- the trend in production costs borne by breeders and primary producers;
- the prospects for supply and demand of sheep and goat milk for the new year;
- the criteria and methods through which to determine an adequate and sustainable milk remuneration for primary producers;
- the milk price forecasts to be paid to shepherds for the 2026/2027 financial year.
We believe that a serious discussion must start from objective and shared data, making available to the parties the information necessary to understand the actual economic performance of the supply chain and to allow an informed evaluation of the conditions of the new campaign.
The economic sustainability of processing and that of primary production are, in fact, two strictly interdependent elements: without adequate remuneration for milk delivered to the farm, the continuity of production on the farms, the quality of the raw material and, consequently, the availability of product for the PDO products themselves cannot be guaranteed in the medium term.
The meeting's objective is therefore not limited to defining an economic value, but rather concerns the more comprehensive balance and sustainability of the Sardinian sheep and goat dairy supply chain for the 2026/2027 financial year.
We also trust in the participation of the regional health authorities (ASL) and the health and agriculture councilors to clearly and systematically address the issues of bovine eczema and bluetongue. We also hope to find shared solutions for these issues that will allow for the unblocking of movement, making use of any exemptions.
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)
