Severe Storms Ravage Cherry Harvests in Turi and Bari Province

Intense rain and hailstorms swept the Turi area and much of Bari province, devastating cherry orchards. The Bigarreau variety was hit hardest, with damage in many parts of the agro‑Turese area amounting to near‑total loss of the crop. Coldiretti Puglia reported that roughly 70% of the province’s cherry harvest was destroyed, equating to the loss of two out of three fruits.

The disaster threatens the upcoming 2026 Sagra della Ciliegia Ferrovia, the region’s cherry festival, prompting local leaders to call for support. Livio Lerede, president of the In Piazza association, said, “I express my total solidarity with our farmers,” and urged regional and national authorities to monitor the situation and provide assistance to the affected growers.