The Drinks Business is reporting that, in 2023, Italian agriculture suffered significantly due to extreme weather, with wine production being particularly affected. Europe experienced its hottest summer in 2,000 years, leading to a 3.9% drop in agricultural output in Italy. Specifically, the production of vines, fruits, and olives decreased by 11.1%, and overall wine production fell by 17%. Hail storms also caused considerable damage to vineyards.
In 2024, severe droughts in southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia further impacted crops and livestock, according to the agricultural organisation Coldiretti. Despite these challenges, Italy, along with Finland, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and the Netherlands, voted against an EU policy requiring the restoration of nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030. The policy aims to address the decline in Europe’s natural habitats, which are largely in poor health and have impact on vineyards.
