Peach and citrus production has dropped dramatically: "It's the heat's fault."

A "tragic" outcome for the peach production season between Villacidro and Serramanna, one of Sardinia's most important fruit-growing districts. This is according to Confagricoltura Cagliari, which has collected production data and testimonies from several farmers. The assessment is worrying "due to last summer's persistent heat waves, which devastated plants and fruit for weeks at a time, and following remarkably anomalous seasons in previous years: temperatures often above average and heavy rainfall concentrated in narrow windows."

From June until now, the plants have suffered from the heat and the resulting attacks by mites, which, along with the red spider mite, have stressed the trees and reduced production. The spider mite causes defoliation of the plants, resulting in reduced flowering and therefore production the following year. On citrus fruits—which are due to be harvested soon—it also causes discoloration and suberization of the peel, resulting in poor visual appearance. Essentially, it creates spots, which lead to the product being rejected by retailers as unsuitable for sale to consumers.

In 2024, the Villacidresi Farmers' Cooperative, which brings together approximately 80 members and nearly all the non-hobbyist producers in the area, produced almost 35,000 quintals of citrus fruit and 3159 quintals of peaches . In 2025, this figure rose to 32,000 quintals of citrus fruit and 360,000 quintals of peaches. This year, however, peach harvests are around 2,000 quintals, a 40% decrease, while citrus fruit, between last winter's production and the estimated production through next December, is expected to reach 23,000 quintals, a decrease of approximately 30%. In the two municipalities of Medio Campidano, the areas cultivated by non-hobbyist farmers total less than 300 hectares of citrus fruit, while peach orchards total just over 70 hectares.

"Between peaches and citrus fruits," says Alessandro Abis, president of Confagricoltura Cagliari, "the Sardinian fruit sector has enormous potential, but has suffered for years from a lack of strategic vision, exacerbated by the closure of the Fruit Growing Consortium. Our strengths remain our unique soil and microclimate, capable of guaranteeing extraordinary early produce. However , the recently concluded campaign has put us to the test with record temperatures and hailstorms, as we prepare for the citrus season. Climate change is a threat, but also an opportunity to diversify with tropical crops like avocado and papaya. A decisive change of pace is needed: we are calling for a structured development plan, with concrete resources to grow businesses, create jobs, and generate wealth for Sardinia."