Italian rice crops suffer in drought as worst European heatwave hits
In Italy's Pavia province, one of Europe's most important rice-growing areas, an early summer and severe drought are threatening the crop. Farmers say weeds are spreading across parched fields and much of the harvest may not be saved.
In Italy's Pavia province, one of Europe's most productive rice regions, farmers are struggling with an early summer and severe drought sweeping the continent. Weeds are spreading across parched paddies, and young grower Sharon Angoli sums up the situation for some fields by saying they are "done for, no matter what happens".
Growers fear that even abundant rain for the rest of the summer would not save some of the crop. The region plays a critical role in rice supply for Italy and Europe, so a drop in the harvest matters for prices and the supply chain.
Experts describe the heatwave as among the most severe to hit the continent in June. How long the drought lasts and whether rain arrives in the coming weeks will determine this season's rice output and its effect on European food prices.
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