Italy: Due to drought, pistachio supply from Bronte already lost by 20 to 30%

"Until a few months ago there were all the conditions for an excellent season but, with the fact that it hasn't rained for five months now, everything is becoming more complicated. I estimate that we will lose between 20 and 30% of product ". So Andrea Porto, owner of Agricola Fernandez, a company specializing in the production of Bronte Dop pistachio and extra virgin olive oil, talks about the now forthcoming pistachio campaign. “The lack of rain and the very high temperatures are causing great stress to the plants, which do not develop fruit - continues Porto - Several shells are even empty. This anomalous heat will most likely also cause the harvesting period to shift forward: in fact, if we would normally have started during the last week of August, we will probably start around 10 September, to wait for the full development of the fruits of the plants ". Giving some numbers Porto, which owns 15 hectares all of Pistachio di Bronte Dop, expects to reach 100 quintals, or rather ...