July1, 2002

Italy:  Po River Valley Crop Update

Corn and Soybean Development Continues, Crop Outlook is Positive

Crop growth has been substantial this month in the major corn and soybean producing region of Italy, the Po River Valley.  Most of the Po River Valley is irrigated, and the corn and soybean harvest will take place between September and November.  Precipitation was abundant throughout the spring, and the recent warm, dry weather has been favorable.  Observations of fields near Palazzolo Sull'Oglio (image 1) and Ostiglia (image 2) in the Lombardia region show that crops have made significant growth progress recently.  Based on the Hanway Growth Model, corn is likely in the eight to twelve leaf stage, and growing rapidly.

Italy is the European Union's largest soybean producer and the second largest corn producer.  In 2001, Italy produced nearly 10.4 million tons of corn from 1.1 million hectares, or 9.45 tons per hectare.  This year, Italy is expected to produce 10.5 million tons on roughly the same area.  The USDA estimate for the Italian soybean crop in 2002 will be released on July 11, and last year Italy produced 879 thousand tons of soybeans on 251 thousand hectares, for a yield of 3.5 tons per hectare. 

For more information, contact Jim Tringe james.tringe@fas.usda.gov
with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division, at (202)720-0882