APCOM

Easter 2008 in Milano is under the sign of tradition. This year the Milanesi choose above all the 'colomba' (the typical cake with fresh candied orange and sultanas topped with a sugar icing and crunchy almonds), lamb and 'capretto' (baby goat) to celebrate the festivity.

According to 50% of butchers, up to now the sells of lamb have been in line with those registered in 2007. 35% of commercial operators claim that they have diminished, while 15% affirm that the trade has improved. These results emerge from a survey carried out by the Trade Union together with Epam (Milanese Association of Commercial Activities), the Butchers' Association of Milano and the city's Chamber of Commerce.

As for bakery products, surprisingly the 'colomba' is preferred to chocolate eggs. Milanesi spend 22 euros per kilo on the average for these cakes, and 60 euros for traditional eggs. However, even in Milano Easter is becoming more and more global: kid comes from France (88.5% of the baby goats imported in 2007 are French), lamb from Spain (34.9%), while chocolate is German (22.5%).