Parmigiano Reggiano industry faces risks from Italian heat waves

Extreme heat waves in Northern Italy are threatening the Parmigiano Reggiano industry, a sector valued at approximately 4 to 4.5 billion euros. Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius are causing significant thermal stress in dairy cows, leading to reduced food consumption and lower milk yields. Reports indicate average milk production has dropped by about 10 percent, with some individual farms experiencing losses as high as 20 percent.

To mitigate the heat, farmers are increasingly relying on fans and water spray systems, which has led to a sharp rise in electricity costs. Additionally, the aging process for the cheese requires strictly controlled temperatures in warehouses; for example, energy consumption in facilities managed by Credito Emiliano has risen by approximately 30 percent.

Strict Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) regulations prevent producers from moving livestock to cooler regions, as the cows, milk, and feed must remain within specific Italian provinces. Drought conditions are also complicating the production of local hay and grass required for feeding the cattle.