Summer finally seems to have arrived in Italy after weeks of low temperatures and bad weather which, in some cases, has even led to the destruction of crops, especially in central and southern Italy.
The high-pressure area is currently found in central and southern Italy, with temperatures reaching 40°. On 10th June, for example, 38°C were recorded in Caltagirone, 37°C in Foggia, 34°C in Matera and 33°C in Bari.
The increase in temperatures inevitably leads to a higher demand for fruit and vegetables. Rocco Viggiano, legal representative from FE.VI. Frutta, a wholesaler from Policoro (Matera), reports that "the sudden increase in temperatures pushed demand for melons and watermelons and prices skyrocketed. The latter are sold at €0.60-0.70/kg while the former reach €1.50/kg."
"We are commercializing reduced volumes as, although demand is increasing, ripening was delayed by the weather."
"Stone fruit ripened quickly thanks to the heat, meaning there was a lot of produce available at once, thus saturating the markets. What is more, whatever produce had been salvaged from the hail was still depreciated due to its less than excellent quality."
"As we wait for late apricot varieties and watermelons and melons from Basilicata, we are still commercializing the Candonga strawberries at around €2/kg."
Although the central and southern regions did not get a break from this first heatwave as it happened in the north of the country, the peninsula will be hit by a second and stronger heatwave that will increase temperatures further.