Italian cereal production hits record highs amid rising costs

The 2026 cereal campaign in Italy has yielded record production levels, particularly for soft wheat, but farmers face severe financial difficulties due to rising production costs. According to a report by the Legacoop Agroalimentare Cereal Coordination, soft wheat production rose by 27.29% following a 12.5% increase in cultivated areas, marking one of the best agronomic performances in 15 years.

In contrast, durum wheat saw a 15% reduction in cultivated surfaces, partly due to autumn weather hindering sowing. Regional yields varied significantly: Emilia-Romagna achieved historic peaks, while Tuscany suffered production losses of 35-40% due to early-year bad weather.

Despite high yields, profitability is declining as production costs have increased by up to 200 euros per hectare. For durum wheat, costs now range between 2,200 and 2,700 euros per hectare. To support the sector, Legacoop is calling for long-term supply chain contracts and urgent legislative measures, including tax credits, credit moratoria, and the refinancing of the Food Sovereignty Fund.