Cherries season compromised in South of Italy

Italy

Thursday 27 May 2010

Considerable damage in Bari where about 80 % of the harvest is lost.

Puglia (South of Italy) is the first producing region of the country with about 500 000 tons of cherries produced on more than 17 000 hectares.

A storm struck the province of Bari and particularly, Turi, Conversano, Castellana Grotte, Sammichele, Putignano, Alberobello and Noci.

Rains, wind and hail, never seen before according to professionals, has touched hundreds of orchards hectares.

For " Bigareaux " and "Georgia" varieties, the damage is considerable and losses could reach 80 90 % of harvest.

For " Ferovia " variety, still in development, losses would be 40 %.

Damage would amount to 5 million euro. The annual turnover of cherries in the region is estimated at 30 million euro.

source : barilive it, la gazetta del mezziogiornio it.