Italian farmers report reduction in pumpkin harvest due to bad weather conditions

Italian farmers report a 25% drop in pumpkin production due to an increase in adverse weather and natural phenomena in the country, including severe thunderstorms, heavy rains and drought. The data was released by the association of Italian farmers Coldiretti on the eve of Halloween, which is celebrated on the eve of the Catholic All Saints' Day - on the night of October 31 to November 1. "The average retail price in Italy this year is between 2 and 2.5 euros per kilogram," say experts, who point to an increase in pumpkin sales in recent weeks. According to them, in the northern region of Lombardy, which accounts for about a quarter of national production, the harvest is expected to decrease by an average of 30% compared to last year due to heavy rainfall. At the same time, in southern Puglia, the harvest has decreased by 40% due to an acute shortage ...