Tomato disaster looms for Italy

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A new chapter is about to be added to the history of Italian disasters. It may not be quite up there with the Fall of Rome or Vesuvius erupting, but the Great Tomato Massacre of 2010 is bad news for a country which has the humble but versatile pomodoro at the heart of its culinary life.

The farmers' trade union, Coldiretti, said yesterday production of the tomato was down as much as 25 per cent because of exceptionally high temperatures.

After getting battered by heavy rains that pounded much of Italy last month, the plants are now being scorched. "The heat has led to a tomato massacre," Coldiretti said.

The average harvest of pomodori per hectare of land will tumble from 80,000kg last year to 60,000kg this year, said the union.

Rolando Manfredini, a food expert working for Coldiretti, said: "Above 30C, plants become stressed and are no longer able to grow, in spite of irrigation. The fields have been caught in a pincer of extreme weather - first the torrential rains of last month flooded the fields and prevented roots developing, while now the heat and humidity are weakening the tomatoes, which dry up, making flowers and fruit fall.

"A reduction in yields of 20 per cent is disastrous for tomato farmers, as their profits are well below 20 per cent."

Irate farmers took to the streets last week, demanding government support. Dairy farmers, meanwhile, report their cows are producing 15 per cent less milk than normal because of the heat.

Farmers have set up showers, fans and air-conditioning in their cowsheds, as well as giving the cattle potassium salts in their food.

- INDEPENDENT