Two tornados that reportedly struck the Italian region of Emilia at the end of last week are said to have caused major damage to pear production in several areas, flinging debris across orchards and rendering fruit unsellable on the international fresh market.
According to Giampaolo Nasi, director of Fruit Modena Group, high winds and a strong hailstorm hit parts of the region around Reggio and Modena as the tornado passed through, damaging around 20-25 per cent of the fruit being grown in two areas north of Modena, and as much as 75 per cent of pear production near Rubiera, between the two cities.
The Ansa news agency said the full extent of the damage caused to property in the area could be as high as €17m. Reports elsewhere indicated some of the hailstones that fell near Rubiera were as large as tennis balls.
Despite the unexpected damage, Nasi told Italiafruit the season had started well, although he suggested it was unlikely the volume of production would be as high this year as it was in 2012.
