Extreme Heat in Italy May Lead to the Disappearance of Popular Cheeses
In Italy, the production of famous cheeses, including mozzarella, burrata, scamorza, ricotta, and provolone, is under threat due to extreme heat caused by global warming. Rising temperatures are causing significant stress to Italian cows, resulting in decreased milk yields and poorer milk quality. This directly impacts the volumes and quality of rare cheese varieties traditionally made in the Apennines.
This is reported by AgroReview
Decreased Milk Yields and Poorer Milk Quality
Cheesemakers note that the quality of milk has been deteriorating lately. Milk from cows experiencing heat stress curdles more slowly and requires longer to set, complicating the cheese production process. Scientists explain that milk yields can decrease by 3% to 30% depending on the animals’ sensitivity to high temperatures and humidity. Furthermore, the heat negatively affects the levels of protein and fat in the milk, which directly impacts the final quality of the cheeses.
New Challenges for Italian Farmers
According to statistics, cow’s milk production in Italy has noticeably decreased during the summer months. From 2022 to 2024, the average decline in production was 17.2% between March and September, surpassing the 15.5% decline observed in the previous three years. Farmers are operating under challenging economic conditions: alongside decreasing yields, they are facing rising prices for energy and feed. Currently, nearly one in ten dairy farms in Italy is at risk of closure.
To mitigate the impact of heat on the animals, Italian farmers are implementing various technologies, including installing water sprayers and air conditioners in barns. These are used even when temperatures drop to 20°C, as cows can experience heat stress under such conditions. However, experts say that such measures can only reduce the negative effects of high temperatures by up to 50%.
“Dairy farmers operate with low profitability, so a sharp decline is not needed to create what economists call a ‘dairy apocalypse.’ Cows are often blamed for contributing to climate change because they burp methane – but in this case, they are the victims of it.”
Under these conditions, Italian producers are forced to develop new cheese varieties that require less milk to adapt to climate changes and preserve the traditions of cheesemaking.