Puglia tomato harvest faces lower yields as spring rains and heat impact crop

The industrial tomato harvest in Italy’s Puglia region has begun, with early‑planted fields delivering fruit of very high quality. However, Coldiretti Puglia reports that yields are falling short of expectations. Spring rains slowed soil preparation, forcing farmers to work under sub‑optimal conditions, and physiological stresses further reduced plant productivity. Recent hail and rain caused limited damage, but forecasted high temperatures and upcoming heat waves threaten late‑season crops, risking poor fruit development.

Coldretti’s market data show reference prices fixed at €150 per tonne for long tomatoes and €140 per tonne for round tomatoes, providing price stability despite the uncertain season. The province of Foggia remains the core of Italy’s industrial tomato production, but the outlook will depend heavily on upcoming weather conditions.