Amoéba Secures Emergency Authorization in Italy for its Biofungicide Axpera
Amoéba announced on Monday that it has obtained a 120-day emergency authorization in Italy for its biofungicide Axpera, aimed at combating basil downy mildew. This temporary authorization addresses a critical phytosanitary situation in a key crop of the Italian market.
A Solution to a Destructive Disease
Basil downy mildew, caused by Peronospora belbahrii, is particularly destructive on fresh basil, a crop with very low or nonexistent commercial tolerance for symptoms. Under favorable conditions, the disease can affect 70% to 80% of the production and, in the most severe cases, destroy a crop within three to four days.
For several years, Italian producers have been facing particularly challenging disease pressure, exacerbated by the varietal sensitivity of Italian basil and favorable climatic conditions for the pathogen's development. Concurrently, the number of available phytosanitary active substances is decreasing annually, leading farmers to seek alternatives, particularly for organic producers, who account for 30% of the global market volume.
A Major Economic Stake for the Italian Market
Italy plays a central role in the European basil market, particularly through the Genovese basil sector aimed at the fresh market and processing, especially for pesto production. The economic value of this crop far exceeds primary production, fueling a high-value-added chain that includes seeds, cultivation in protected and open fields, packaging, processing, and export.
From 2009 to 2023, the fresh basil-based pesto alla genovese sauce has seen a sustained annual growth of 13.7% globally. Food and beverage uses account for 71% of the market, while pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications make up 19%. Protecting basil from downy mildew is a major agronomic, economic, and quality challenge for Italian producers.
A Temporary Framework Pending Full Commercial Approval
The emergency authorization, supported by Italian basil producers' associations, was granted by the Italian Ministry of Health and allows the use of the biofungicide Axpera as a preventive treatment against basil downy mildew for a period of 120 days, from June 5 to October 2, 2026.
Jean-Marc Pétat, CEO of Green for Agro, an Amoéba subsidiary specializing in biosolutions, commented: 'Securing this 120-day emergency authorization in Italy marks a new step in the European deployment of our biofungicide. It addresses a concrete need in the sector in a strategic country for basil, faced with strong mildew pressure and consumer demand for disease control solutions that leave no residue.' This authorization comes in anticipation of obtaining a full marketing authorization for the product in Italy.
