Italy has been experiencing a long, cold winter which has caused a lot of damage to the early crops. According to Coldiretti, the cold weather has damaged almost half of the early strawberries, which are a major early crop in the country. The asparagus crop has also been severely affected, with production expected to decrease by about 20%. This is a major blow to the farmers who depend on these crops for their livelihood.
The destructive cold weather began in February, when temperatures dropped to as low as minus ten degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. This was the most intense cold wave of the winter, and it negatively affected crops that are usually harvested in April. The asparagus crop, for instance, was almost a month behind schedule, and the cold weather made it difficult for farmers to protect their crops.
Early crops like strawberries and asparagus are some of the most important crops for Italian farmers. They are usually planted in winter and harvested in spring, and they boost the income of farmers during the lean winter months. However, the cold weather has put the farmers at risk of losing their income, as the yields from their crops are expected to be lower than usual.
The cold weather has also increased the cost of production for farmers, as they have had to take extra measures to try and protect their crops from the extreme weather conditions. For instance, they had to cover their crops with plastic or straw to keep them warm and to prevent them from freezing. This increased the cost of production, which means that the farmers might not be able to make as much profit as they had hoped.
Although the cold weather has been devastating for farmers, it is not the only challenge that they face. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the farming industry, as many markets have closed down, and international trade has decreased. This has led to a decrease in demand for fresh produce, and farmers are struggling to sell their crops.
Given the challenges that farmers are facing, it is important for consumers to support their local farmers by buying their products. This will not only help the farmers to make a profit, but it will also ensure that consumers have access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown produce.
In conclusion, the recent cold weather has had a devastating impact on early crops like strawberries and asparagus in Italy. The low yields are expected to affect the income of farmers who depend on these crops for their livelihood. It is important for consumers to support their local farmers during these difficult times and to buy their products. In doing so, they will not only help the farmers to make a profit, but they will also ensure that they have access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown produce.