Extreme heatwaves in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region are affecting the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Farmers are struggling to keep their cattle cool, which in turn affects the quality and quantity of milk used to make the cheese.
Impact on the Industry
The Parmigiano Reggiano industry generates an estimated €4.5 billion in revenue each year and employs thousands of people. The cheese is made from the milk of cows fed exclusively with grass and hay grown in the region. However, the heatwave has led to a decrease in milk production, with cows producing up to 10% less milk.
To combat the heat, farmers have installed fans and water-mist systems, but these measures have increased their energy costs. The warehouses where the cheese is stored are also feeling the effects, with energy consumption rising by about 30% during peak heatwaves.
The region’s climate-controlled warehouses, known as the Bank of Parmigiano, are institutions where technology and tradition come together. Each wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano undergoes strict quality inspections, including X-ray scans, to rule out defects.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
