Cherry Prices Soar in Milan: Climate Change and Labor Shortages Create Luxury Fruit

Milan's Cherry Crisis: Climate Change and Labor Shortages Drive Prices to €23 per Kilo Milan, Italy – The price of cherries in Milan has reached a shocking €23 per kilogram, a price surge that has left consumers stunned. This dramatic increase isn't solely attributed to inflation, but rather to a perfect storm of factors impacting the Italian cherry industry. Coldiretti, a prominent Italian farmers' association, reports a devastating 70-80% drop in cherry production this year. This decline is directly linked to the erratic weather patterns experienced throughout Italy, including unusually early heat waves, damaging April frosts, and destructive hailstorms. Adding to the problem is a growing scarcity of agricultural labor. "The harvests are becoming increasingly difficult," explains a cherry producer in Puglia. "Cherries have become as rare as they are precious." The impact is evident across the supply chain. While wholesale prices range from €5 to €8 per kilogram, retail prices in major supermarkets have exploded. Consumers are finding that affordable options often come with a catch. "The packages at €3.90? Those are from Turkey," reveals a producer in Southern Italy. This highlights the struggle of Italian cherry farmers to compete with cheaper imports. Some cherry producers are already making difficult decisions, abandoning their cherry orchards for more manageable and profitable crops like olives or grapes. The cherry crisis serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the agricultural sector to climate change and economic pressures. The future of this beloved Italian fruit remains uncertain.