(ANSA) - Rome, February 14 - Organized crime generated arund 24.5 billion euros in business in the Italian agriculture sector in 2018, an increase of 12.4% with respect to the previous year, according to a new report released on Thursday. The report, prepared by farmers association Coldiretti, the Eurispes research institute and the Agro-food Crime Observatory (Osservatorio sulla Criminalità nell'Agroalimentare), said the 'agromafia' had its claws in the production, transport, distribution and sale of food.
It said the 'agromafia' activities led to higher prices for consumers, health risks, with 399 alerts raised last year, and damage to the image of the Italian food sector.
'Agromafia' business up 12.4% in 2018 - report
Organized crime generates 24.4bn a year from agriculture -study