FreshPlaza talked to a few producers after the heavy hailstorms that hit Puglia on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April 2019.
Francesco D'Urso, a producer located in Crispiano (Taranto), says that "there was a heavy storm on Sunday afternoon which has caused a lot of damage in the vineyards."
"Hail stones were as big as hazelnuts and made buds drop to the ground. As soon as the land will be accessible again, we will perform copper treatments to alleviate tree wounds."
"We can estimate we have lost 30% of our production (around 4 hectares) for over €7000/ha worth of damage. Unlike summer hailstorms, which occur when the fruit has already developed, those that occur this time of the year are decisive for future productions."
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Marco Lega, owner of Le Garden cooperative in Nardò (Lecce), explains that "hailstorms damaged the greenhouses and therefore destroyed the crops. The film that covered the plants broke, letting around 15 cm of hail pass."