Heavy rains and strong winds are continuing to cause damage to fruit and vegetable production sites across southern Spain, with the Andalusian province of Huelva reporting heavy losses to strawberry and citrus crops.
According to local association Asaja-Huelva, some 40 per cent of the current strawberry crop and 15 per cent of the province’s citrus production has been lost as a result of the inclement weather that has hit southern Spain over recent weeks.
The high winds and heavy rains have also damaged raspberry crops in Huelva, which were already vulnerable following earlier frosts in the province, Asaja-Huelva said in a press statement.
Damage caused by the winds to greenhouses and plastic coverings is further expected to lead to additional costs for growers in Huelva who are already facing a delay to the start of the province’s strawberry campaign.
In terms of citrus, the association said that the “impossibility of starting picking” and fruit fall due to the winds were the two major problems facing growers at the present time.
Asaja-Huelva said it was forecasting a fall in citrus production of around 15 per cent as a result of the difficulties.
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