WEATHER: BOTTEGA: 'HOT HAS CAUSED ECONOMIC DAMAGE TO THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AND BEYOND.'

The intense heat of recent days and the African temperatures of summer 2026 are severely impacting everyone's quality of life and causing economic damage in nearly every sector. Sandro Bottega, CEO of Bottega Spa, expresses concern: "We are paying the price for highly questionable choices globally. Despite the evidence of climate change, governments have failed to adopt the necessary mitigation measures over the last 20 years. Many companies, including Bottega Spa, have done their part by investing in renewable sources (solar panels, geothermal energy, systems to reduce and optimize consumption) and adopting a truly sustainable industrial approach. Unfortunately, the two ongoing wars, in addition to releasing poisons into the atmosphere, have contributed to lowering our guard on the climate front, which is now only discussed in comments about extreme events: heat waves, cloudbursts, hailstorms." Bottega adds: "This constant heat is causing significant economic damage to businesses. Energy consumption for production is soaring, along with the associated costs of finished products, with a consequent erosion of margins. Bars and restaurants are complaining of a sharp decline in customers, which limits opportunities to leave the house. Outdoor seating has often been desolately empty, and the pleasure of dining outdoors has often been ruined, both in cities and in tourist destinations." Finally, he concludes: "Despite everything, our company is resilient. We collaborate with our customers to offer consumption methods compatible with the heat. We have proposed innovative, fresh, low-alcohol cocktails, along with our 'No Alcohol' product line, whose sales have increased significantly worldwide. Finally, in the vineyard, the high temperatures, if they are not too prolonged, on the one hand lead to an early harvest, but on the other hand, a high concentration of sugars and aromas leads us to predict high-quality grapes, and consequently wines, for the next one. If temperatures drop these days, then it could be an exceptional vintage," observes Sandro Bottega.