In the meantime, the damage caused by the first cold front in the south of the peninsula is currently being estimated. At least 30,000 hectares have been affected as temperatures reached -10°C. Artichokes, broccoli and celery crops have been destroyed and cauliflowers and cucurbitaceae have also been damaged.
Damage to peaches, almonds and cherries can only be assessed in the spring. This was reported by Giorgio Mercuri, President of Alleanza delle Cooperative agroalimentari.
Confagricoltura President, Mario Guidi, stressed that "we are talking about millions of Euros. It is still impossible to make an estimate because things could still get worse."
The weather has caused problems to citrus groves, vineyards and orchards in Calabria, Sicily and Campania; olive groves in Calabria, Abruzzo, Molise and Puglia; and pulses and vegetables in Campania, Basilicata and Puglia.
"Our organisation is constantly monitoring the situation. We have required the declaration of a natural disaster and have asked for prompt interventions to restart our production activities."
Lazio
Especially in Viterbo and Tarquinia, winter crops did not survive the drastic drop in temperatures. There is no hope for fennel and artichokes and broccoli has also been compromised. "In addition to Tarquinia, other areas have also been affected," explains Mauro Pacifici, President of Coldiretti Viterbo.
Losses will amount to hundreds of thousands of Euro, with at least 80 businesses badly affected. Now everyone is hoping for extraordinary provisions to be implemented to help producers.
Puglia
"We have started assessing the damage and the situation is disastrous. Late clementines have been irreparably damaged. In the Taranto province, the damage in citrus groves amounts to over €30 million. And things may get worse. Table grape structures collapsed under the weight of the snow and ice, so we have estimated over €80 million worth of damage," explains Gianni Cantele, President of Coldiretti Puglia.
"It is still impossible to assess the damage to vegetables, as they are still covered in snow and ice. Our producers need to restart their work. That is why we asked for the urgent activation of measure 5.2 of the PSR to reinstate the production potential that was damaged."
"The declaration of a national disaster envisages the activation of the contributions from the National Solidarity Fund, should adverse weather events affect over 30% the gross saleable production of businesses. Unfortunately, however, the funds won't be enough to cover all the damage."
In the meantime, vegetable stocks in Southern Italy are lacking and quotations are skyrocketing. There is very little produce available in wholesale markets, prices are high and trade is slow. "Demand for potatoes and onions have increased a lot due to the cold temperatures in the southern regions, and prices have increased," adds a trader.
The main question is: when will produce from the south become available again? Producers report that "there is very little left at the moment, we will see what can be harvested after this new cold front."
In the meantime, AIIPA-IV Gamma warned about the lack of produce destined to the fresh-cut industry (read here).