A unexpected cold front has brought snow and wind to northern Italy leading to a drop in temperatures and even hailstorms.
Fabrizio Zadra, an apple producer from Val di Non (Trento), confirms that, on the night between Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May, the temperature dropped to almost 0.5°C. "We are located 700 meters above sea level and snow has fallen to 900 meters above sea level. Minimum temperatures reached 1.5°C and then 0.5°C. We are hoping spring will be back soon."
Hail damage, photo by Condifesa Ravenna
The strong wind torn down greenhouses and structures in various regions: Piedmont, Veneto, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. Apple orchards have been damaged in Piedmont and water stagnation could damage onions and potatoes.
Hail damage, photo by Condifesa Ravenna
Cherry producers are worried both in the Vignola and Cesena areas. Only those who installed anti-rain nets are safe, as it is the only system to safeguard production.
"Rain is very bad for cherry producers, as it leads to cracking. Cells absorb the water from the skin and therefore cell membranes swell up and burst causing cracks," explains Loris Babbini from Associazione Aproccc.
In the meantime, Cia-Agricoltori Italiani is monitoring the situation and has estimated a damage of over one million Euro. "In particular, the snow covered entire potato fields in the Modena area and the frost is also dangerous for all vineyards and orchards, as buds are fragile and fruit is just about to be harvested."
"We need to assess the damage and consider, together with our technicians and associates, whether to ask for the state of natural disaster to be declared. We need to bear in mind that north-eastern Italy produces 28% of the entire national agricultural production."
"Producers will have to spend more and more in insurance to protect the crops from extreme events. We went from months of drought to abundant rainfall in just a few days and, though rain is good for water reserves, it is damaging crops greatly. On the other hand, we are also worried about summer African heatwaves."