Northern Italy drought threatens olive oil, risotto rice and passata supplies

The dry riverbed on Italy’s longest river, the Po. Analysts say that, with prices already up 28% on two years ago, Italian production of extra olive oil could be between 20 and 30% down on last year. Photograph: Gabriele Pileri/Reuters

Supplies of olive oil, risotto rice and passata are under threat as northern Italy suffers its worst drought in 70 years, stirring up the cost of living crisis further.

Specialist importers are preparing for price rises of as much as 50% or more for rice and tomatoes and are considering looking for new sources of supply, after growers in the Po valley, the home of arborio rice used in risotto, warned of a “significant reduction” in crop yields this year.