Crops

The variety of climatic and morphological conditions together with the heterogeneous nature of the soil are factors which have contributed, together with the force of tradition, to influence agriculture in Italy. Wheat and maize are the major cereal crops with barley now increasingly grown, while rice is a specialized crop exported in large quantities. Olives and citrus tree crops fruit are the commonest and best known which, together with vineyards, make the country a leader in the Mediterranean and in Europe, though international competition is now strong. Fruit is also important, particularly apples and peaches, and sugar beet is a crop for industrial utilization, supplying the sugar refining industry. Horticultural produce, most importantly tomatoes, is widely cultivated. Floriculture is now expanding rapidly, favoured by the mild climate and widespread greenhouse cultivation. Certain other characteristic products, eg. mushrooms and truffles, are found in quantities, as well as wild strawberries, raspberries and the like, now also grown under cover. Of localized importance is the product of certain trees such as chestnut and hazel, utilized principally by the confectionary and bakery industries.