Dry winter to cost 1 bn, farmers say

(ANSA) - Rome, February 1 - The unseasonably hot and dry winter could cost Italy's agrifood business over one billion euros, farmers' association Coldiretti said Monday. Producers evoke the spectre of 2007, when a particularly dry winter led to poor harvests. The situation is particularly critical in Piemonte, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Veneto due to their dependence on the river Po. Farmers are particularly worried about the upcoming sowing season for corn and soy, as these crops are needed to feed the cattle that support the parmigiano reggiano and grana padana cheese-making industries. There is also concern that fruit trees may fail to bear fruit. Precipitation in January was 60% down on average values, while December 2015 was the driest in 215 years, Coldiretti said. Last year was also the hottest year on record.