Global warming is leading to changes in crop production, and in southern Italy farmers have developed tropical fruit crops such as mangoes.

 

In the Mediterranean basin, average temperatures have risen by around 1.5°C since the beginning of the industrial era. As a result, crops are changing, and more and more farmers in southern Italy are growing tropical fruits such as mangoes, avocados and bananas. Over the last 5 years, tropical fruit cultivation has tripled and now covers around 1,200 hectares in Sicily, Calabria and Puglia. 

 

In northern Italy, the warmer, drier climate has slowed rice cultivation and boosted soya cultivation, which requires less water. Tomatoes and olives are on the increase, whereas 20 years ago these crops were limited to the central and southern regions of the country.