In recent days temperatures have risen slightly, but the damage is already done. Most of the varieties that are planted in the south of the country can no longer be harvested, and even some new varieties of clementines that they hoped to bring out this year have been spoiled.
"Compared to last year, when it was very warm, it has been catastrophic. About 70 to 80% has been lost. It is a race to reach and supply all the demand”, says Dino Pietrosanto, manager of Fruit & Veg. However, says Pietrosanto, "Less has been sold, but they have sold well," as far as the national market was concerned. It's not the same for exports. If before the situation was slow, due to fierce competition from other countries, at this moment the Italian fruits are "offside", says Dino.
One of the main problems has been damage to greenhouse plastics as well as water freezing in irrigation systems. This has caused the infrastructure to be totally damaged, thus affecting plants and fruits.