"The consequences are not immediately recognisable, as a few days must pass. The growth of grafted peach trees has stopped due to the low temperatures and vines show signs of burning."
Stone fruit production has halved all over Italy and the producer reports good market price prospects. "We need to be careful, though, as it all depends on how things will evolve over the next few days. There is a lot of damage and, if the weather goes as forecast, we only have to hope that there will be no hailstorms."
The new peach orchards are all equipped with anti-hail nets. "Hailstorms are becoming more and more frequent and we cannot afford to lose quantity nor quality."
Bigarreau cherries.
The situation in Bari is instead ideal. "Luckily, the cold front did not affect us and cherry orchards were not compromised. Ripening is only slightly delayed due to the colder temperatures."
In Campania, orchards have been heavily damaged (Annurca apples and stone fruit) but it's still to early to make an estimate. "The situation is serious and must be monitored, but we will only know for sure in a few days' time."
The cold front caused a lot of damage in Caserta and Naples as well, where vegetable, potato and tomato crops have been compromised.
Additional rain, storms and even snow are expected all over Italy starting from April 26th, brought around by an arctic front from central-western Europe.
The cold front will cause a further drop in temperatures, in the north at first, and then on the entire peninsula. Temperatures are expected to drop by 6-8°C.