Iceberg lettuce

Murcian producers are warning of a possible iceberg shortage as demand rises in the run-up to Christmas.

Exporter association Proexport said warm temperatures during October brought production forward by 10-12 days in Murcia, Almería and Alicante, while current high rainfall is hampering growth and causing disruption to harvesting.

“Being forced to harvest ahead of their normal production cycle and in the face of current rainfall growers are concerned that supply may be short in the weeks leading up to Christmas,” the association said.

Spain exported 55,118 tonnes of iceberg lettuce in November 2015, rising to 63,837 tonnes in December.

Proexport said with further rain forecast for the coming days, volumes are likely to be affected in the next few weeks.

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