MADRID - The hottest winter in two centuries in Italy, below average rains in Hungary and a shortage of snow in the Greek mountains make the outlook for grain crops in southern Europe this year decidedly patchy, farming sources say. Spain, with two years of drought behind it, has had plenty of rain, although some regions still face water restrictions.
Farmers in Italy are concerned about their wheat and maize crops and water management is a growing issue as growers and energy companies vie for access to water reserves. Italy's Civil Defence said rainfall between September and February was abnormally low and water levels in many lakes and rivers in the north -- where main reservoirs are located -- were below levels considered critical. Average rains nationally were 20-40 percent below normal while in the northeast and centre they were down 50-60 percent. Civil Defence has stopped short of declaring a crisis but said the start of the farm irrigation season in May might trigger serious water shortages.
Farmers and grain traders said the hot and dry winter had raised worries about the quality of wheat, which may be weak and vulnerable to disease, and maize, which is yet to be planted. Agricultural research body ISMEA said last Wednesday the dry weather, should it persist, might damage grain yields and cited reports of delays in wheat germination.
"The winter was too warm, so we can see poor yields and lower production," said Rolando Manfredini, analyst at Italy's biggest farmers' association Coldiretti.
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