Italy cheese banks unaffected by heatwave misinformation

Social media reports claiming that an extreme heatwave in Italy is causing a ‘Great Parmesan Crisis’ are false. Misinformation has circulated suggesting that the heat threatens the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and the stability of ‘cheese banks’ that hold the product as loan collateral.

In reality, the cheese wheels are stored in temperature-controlled facilities. Giancarlo Ravanetti, general manager of Magazini Generali delle Tagliate (MGT)—the largest facility storing cheese as collateral—confirmed that operations remain normal. While the heatwave has increased energy consumption by 30% to maintain cooling, the 500,000 cheese wheels valued at 300 million euros are being aged under optimal conditions.