How do location and climate affect food supply in Italy?

Answer 1

Europe
The bulk of the 2006 cereal crops have now been gathered throughout the region and the 2007 winter grain planting has mostly been completed. The estimate of 2006 aggregate cereal output in the EU stands at 250.5 million tonnes, almost 3 million tonnes down from the forecast in September and about 10 million tonnes less than in 2005.

The latest adjustment follows collection of firmer estimates after the completion of harvests in several member states. While hot and dry conditions deteriorated output prospects as the season progressed in several large producing countries including Hungary, Poland, Italy, Germany and France, the decrease was partially offset by a sharp recovery in output in
Spain and Portugal, where drought had devastated crops in the previous year.
Regarding the winter grains that have just been planted for harvest in 2007, early indications are favourable. Areas are expected to have increased, especially for wheat, and conditions are reported to be generally favourable for the establishment of crops before winter dormancy.

The Balkan countries also gathered smaller cereal crops in 2006. Wheat output estimates have remained unchanged since the previous report, with this year’s reduced output mostly reflecting the impact of harsh winter weather on plantings and yields. For coarse grains, the maize harvest is still in the final stages in some parts or is just completed, and results have been poorer than earlier expectations.

In Romania, the latest estimate puts the maize harvest at just 8.7 million tonnes, compared to 9.9 million tonnes last year and an average of 10.3 million tonnes over the past 5 years. Regarding the winter grain crops just planted, although firm estimates are not yet available, early indications point to a significant increase in area.