According to the Coldiretti agricultural association, more ice cream is currently being eaten in Italy due to the persistent heat – although the prices for it have recently risen significantly.
In May, ice cream in a croissant or cup was around eleven percent more expensive than in the same period last year, the association said on Sunday, citing data from the statistical office.
The Coldiretti experts attributed the increase to the fact that the approximately 39,000 ice cream parlors in Italy spent more on energy, milk, sugar and eggs, which is also due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
According to Coldiretti, the Italian ice cream market grew by 19.5 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year.
The association hopes that the trend with returning tourists after the difficult Corona seasons will continue this year.
In large parts of Italy, many tourists are likely to have worked up a sweat on Sunday.
Peak values of just under 40 Celsius were expected locally, such as around Palermo in Sicily or Cagliari in Sardinia.
The Ministry of Health issued a heat warning for five cities, including Rome and Perugia - meaning that even healthy people there could be at risk of negative physical effects.
The experts advised avoiding busy places and only staying outside in the morning and evening.