AGP Executive Report

EU Farm Policy: Stefano Bonaccini says proposed cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy in the next EU budget are unacceptable. A separate budget plan aims to shield farmers, while the EU has earmarked €162 million for agri-food promotion in 2027. Food-Supply Security: Italy held emergency talks after cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems spread across Europe, raising concerns about food supply chains. Harvests and Markets: A dry summer is hitting Italy’s truffle season. Seedless grapes now make up 80% of the country’s table-grape sector, which is targeting new markets, while apple growers are storing their harvest in an underground mine. Farm Technology: EIMA 2026 drew Brazilian manufacturers as agricultural machinery exports to Europe rose 13%.

Olive Harvest: Italy’s foreign minister called for the return of Italians detained in the West Bank while helping Palestinians harvest olives. CAP Funding: Stefano Bonaccini called proposed cuts to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy unacceptable as budget talks weigh support for farmers. Hazelnut Market: Turkey expanded its price-fixing probe to seven companies, including Italian confectioner Ferrero, over suspected efforts to depress prices paid to growers. Farm Machinery: EIMA 2026 drew Brazilian manufacturers to Italy as agricultural machinery exports to Europe rose 13%. Food Prices: The FAO’s global food price index fell 1.2% in October, with cereals, dairy and meat all cheaper than in September.

Apple Market: Italy’s apple harvest is forecast to fall 2% to 2.27 million tonnes as weather cuts production across the EU. EU apple imports are expected to rise 15%, increasing competition from overseas suppliers. EU Farm Funding: A proposed long-term EU budget deal would protect farm aid, despite broad spending cuts that fall heavily on competitiveness programmes. Grapes and Truffles: Italy’s table-grape sector has reached an 80% seedless share and is seeking new markets, while a dry summer is reducing the truffle harvest. Storage Innovation: Italian apple growers are keeping their crop fresh in an underground mine.

Agri-food Promotion: The EU has allocated €162 million for food and farm-product promotion in 2027, offering Italian producers a chance to raise their profile in export markets. Food Supply Security: Italy joined emergency talks after cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems across Europe raised concerns about food supplies; officials said there was no cause for alarm. Table Grapes: Italy’s table-grape sector has reached an 80% seedless share and is looking to new markets for growth. Harvest and Climate: A dry summer has cut into Italy’s truffle season, while apple growers are storing their harvest in an underground mine. Farm Machinery: EIMA 2026 drew Brazilian manufacturers as agricultural machinery exports to Europe rose 13%.

Farm Machinery: EIMA International in Bologna, Nov. 10–14, will showcase new AGCO Power engines for Massey Ferguson and Valtra tractors. Brazilian manufacturers are also drawing interest as agricultural machinery exports to Europe rise 13%. Food Supply Security: Italy has joined other European countries targeted by attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, prompting emergency talks and concern over food-chain disruption. Grower Pressures: A dry summer is cutting into Italy’s truffle season, while table-grape producers have reached an 80% seedless milestone and are looking to new markets. Storage Innovation: Italian apple growers are keeping harvests in an underground mine, offering an unusual way to store fruit.

Harvest Pressures: A dry summer is leaving Italy’s truffle season with fewer finds, raising concerns for growers and the supply of a prized crop. Storage Innovation: Italian apple growers are storing their harvest in an underground mine, using the site to preserve fruit after picking. Table Grapes: The sector reports that seedless varieties now account for 80% of production, with growers looking to expand into new markets. Market Protection: Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida has urged the EU not to let protected geographical indications become generic names, as Italy seeks to defend the value of its regional food products. Farm Policy: Italy’s agriculture lobby says the EU faces a choice between investing in the sector or sidelining it.

Food-Supply Security: Cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems hit Italy and at least nine other European countries, spoiling food and prompting emergency talks in Rome. The EU is assessing retailers’ preparedness; no group has claimed responsibility. Truffle Season: A dry summer has cut black-truffle production in Piedmont, with one grower reporting output down 50% a month into the season. Hunters warn continued drought could mean even fewer finds. Farm Machinery: EIMA International opens in Bologna on November 10, with Italian maker AMA set to present new equipment controls and cab technology. Brazilian manufacturers are also joining as agricultural machinery exports to Europe rise. Farm Policy: Farmers rallied in Brussels over social conditionality, while Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida urged the EU not to let protected geographical indications become generic names.

Food-Supply Security: Cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems have reached Italy amid incidents in about 10 European countries. Rome held emergency security talks, while officials said the impact was limited and there was no public-health risk. Geographical Indications: Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida urged the EU to stop Italian protected food names from becoming generic terms, putting the issue on the agenda for the next meeting of agriculture ministers. Farm Workers: Coldiretti backed a Brussels protest to keep social conditions tied to CAP payments, arguing subsidies should not go to employers who violate workers’ rights. Farm Machinery: Brazilian manufacturers are heading to Bologna’s EIMA trade fair, as exports of their agricultural machinery to Europe rose 13% in the first half of 2026. Sustainable Food Systems: Italy joined five other countries at COP17 in calling for more investment in agroecology, agroforestry and sustainable fisheries to help meet biodiversity targets.

Farm Policy: CIA president Cristiano Fini urged the EU to boost Common Agricultural Policy funding, protect it from being folded into a single fund and invest more in research and farm competitiveness. Food Supply Security: Cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration affected at least four Coop stores in Sicily and a business in Tuscany, spoiling food and prompting Italy to hold emergency talks with intelligence officials. Mediterranean Fisheries: A Rome meeting of 25 countries adopted 11 binding measures and two resolutions, including updated plans for hake, shrimp and dolphinfish fisheries and new Adriatic catch limits. Italian Produce Protection: E-commerce platform Temu joined the geographical-indications alliance oriGIn, which works to protect the authenticity of products tied to their place of origin. Trade Links: A mission of about 60 Italian companies to Misrata is advancing port ties alongside veterinary cooperation and food-safety protocols, with the Libyan city positioned as a potential gateway to African markets.

Food Supply Security: A suspected cyberattack disrupted supermarket refrigeration in nine European countries, including four stores in Sicily and one in Tuscany, forcing some retailers to discard food. The EU warned the attacks threatened confidence in the food supply chain. Water Resilience: Kering, Conservation International and Etifor launched a platform for the Arno Basin in Tuscany, aiming to coordinate action on drought, floods, water scarcity and pollution. Seasonal Markets: Transport strikes and shipment delays are complicating the start of the clementine season, while Italian persimmons are seeing a strong start and active demand at home and abroad. Agricultural Trade: Italy is Tunisia’s leading supplier of agricultural equipment, underlining its role in supporting the country’s farm sector.

Farm Machinery: Italy showcased 15 agricultural equipment brands at Tunisia’s SIAT 2026, where it remains the leading supplier with a 30.5% market share. The pavilion featured an olive-oil processing line, highlighting the countries’ cooperation on agricultural technology and resilience. Crop Markets: Italian persimmons are seeing a lively market at home and abroad, while a separate report describes tomato trade as stable despite price fluctuations. Food Trade: Italy is among the leading destinations for Greek honey, whose exports rose 10.5% in 2025 to $31.6 million. Greek beekeepers still face higher costs, climate variability and competition from imports.

Honey Trade: Greek honey exports rose 10.5% in 2025 to $31.6 million, with Italy among the leading buyers. Greece is also introducing digital tracking to guard against false origin claims, as producers contend with rising costs and weather pressures. Food Prices: Italy’s inflation reportedly reached 5.4%, while a farmers’ revolt over prices was linked to shortages of pasta and mozzarella on shelves. Crop Markets: Italy’s persimmon season is off to a good start, with lively demand at home and abroad; a separate market report describes tomato trade as stable despite price swings. Fisheries: EU countries blocked an extension of the Mediterranean deep-sea trawling ban, a decision with implications for Italian fishing communities. Clean Energy on Farmland: Terrawatt secured authorization for a 6.3-megawatt agrivoltaic plant in Abruzzo; ground-mounted solar used 2,798 hectares in Italy in 2025.

Climate and Truffles: A warming climate is threatening prized white truffles in Piedmont, raising concerns for the Alba area’s harvest and the livelihoods tied to it. Markets: Italy’s persimmon season has started strongly, with lively demand at home and abroad. Crop Resilience: A farmer who planted long-stored ancient wheat seeds has found a variety that researchers say could help crops withstand drought and climate change. Land Use: Ground-mounted solar occupied 2,798 hectares in Italy in 2025, while a 6.3-megawatt agrivoltaic project has been authorised in Abruzzo. Food Costs: Italy’s 5.4% inflation and farmers’ protests have drawn attention to pressure on food prices, with reports of pasta and mozzarella shortages.

Farm Costs and Protests: Farmers joined Italy’s nationwide protests over rising living costs, while a report links inflation of 5.4% to a farmers’ revolt that has disrupted pasta and mozzarella supplies. Produce Markets: Persimmons are seeing lively demand in Italy and abroad, while the tomato market remains stable despite price swings. Italian regions have also stopped serving raw cherry tomatoes following a Salmonella outbreak. Exports: Italian table grapes have moved closer to gaining access to Thailand, opening a potential new market for growers. Farm Policy and Innovation: EU plans for the next Common Agricultural Policy are drawing criticism over funding, with MEPs divided on the proposed deal. In Abruzzo, a 6.3 MW agrivoltaic project has received authorization. Drought Resilience: An Italian farmer’s trial of ancient wheat discovered in an attic has renewed interest in crops that may better withstand drought and climate change.

Farm Costs and Supply: Italy’s 5.4% inflation is squeezing farmers as well as households. Diesel is about a third costlier than before the Iran war, prompting farm and trucker blockades; the disruptions have left some supermarket shelves short of pasta and mozzarella. Farmers joined Friday’s nationwide protests over prices and fuel costs. Produce Markets: Italian persimmons are off to a strong start, with lively demand at home and abroad, while tomato prices are reported stable despite fluctuations. Italian table grapes have also moved closer to gaining access to Thailand’s market. Food Safety: Several Italian regions have stopped serving raw cherry tomatoes after a Salmonella outbreak, a reminder that food-safety controls can quickly affect growers and the fresh-produce trade.

Dairy Sustainability: Research on 231 farms supplying Parmigiano Reggiano found that stronger animal-welfare practices were linked to lower emissions and nutrient losses per kilogram of milk. Fruit Markets: Italy’s persimmon season is off to a lively start, with strong demand at home and abroad. Farm Economy: Italy’s GDP was flat in the third quarter; growth in agriculture and services offset a decline in industry, while GDP rose 0.8% year on year. Soil & Circular Farming: A study using olive and poplar prunings from central Italy found biochar alone did not significantly improve lettuce growth; combining it with organic fertilizer increased biomass, while olive-based biochar raised concerns about metal levels. Renewable Energy on Farms: A 6.3 MW agrivoltaic plant has secured authorization in Abruzzo. CAP Policy: The EU’s next farm-policy framework is taking shape, but a Council agreement has divided MEPs over funding and its impact on Italy.