Summary
February was characterised by the worsening of the extreme draught situation, with devastating effects on agriculture. As regards livestock farming, grazing conditions have deteriorated, leading to the extraordinary consumption of industrial feed and to the acquisition of forage straw in foreign markets at very high prices. The scenario in terms of winter cereals is not encouraging - crops reveal a bad seasonal development and late maturing sowns are inevitably lost. Frost and severe cold have also caused serious losses in citrus fruits and vegetables.