Italian agriculture: wheat production rises amid profitability concerns

The 2026 cereal campaign in Italy shows a mixed landscape of increased production and ongoing financial challenges for farmers. According to Legacoop Agroalimentare, soft wheat production is expected to rise by 27.29% due to a 12.5% increase in cultivated areas and higher yields per hectare, marking one of the best years in 15 years. However, hard wheat areas have decreased by 15% due to bad weather and crop rotation shifts.

Regional disparities are significant. Emilia-Romagna is reporting record yields, while Tuscany has lost up to 40% of its hard wheat due to early-year weather issues. Despite these agronomic successes, high production costs continue to impact the profitability of agricultural businesses.

To mitigate risks, a simplified rice insurance policy is being presented in Vercelli. Under the Agricultural Risk Management Plan (PGRA) 2026, the public contribution for this product is set at 70%. This simplified formula is designed to protect against quantitative yield losses, using AgriCat index values to determine insured capital.