Hail damage quantified

Damage was very localised, but in some parts of this important citrus-producing area hailstones "as large as nuts" struck trees affecting leaves and branches as well as knocking fruit to the ground.

Producers' association Ava-Asaja has been quantifying damage and some citrus plantations in the Camp del Turia area report 80 per cent crop damage. Watermelon production in the same locality has experienced 50 per cent crop damage. The effects of hail were also felt in parts of the L'Horta Nord and Los Serranos areas of the Valencia region, although to a lesser degree.

Oranges and easy-peelers were hit, and Clemenules is reported to have been particularly prone.

Salads as well as watermelons are also reported to have been affected in some areas and almond trees in the Alcublas area were so badly damaged that decreases in production are likely to be felt over the next couple of seasons.

Growers' organisations such as Ava-Asaja and Unió-Coag in the area are stressing that the storms were localised and therefore have not affected the totality of production, but also have asked for "understanding" from the authorities for damages not covered by insurance cover and "prompt surveying" on the part of insurance assessors for that which is covered.

The economic cost of the damage has also been quantified and Ava-Asaja has calculated that the hail's effects on citrus alone amount to e25.8million. Some 8,000ha were touched by the storm and suffered average losses of 40 per cent, according to the association. Watermleon losses have been assessed at e1.45m across 400ha and effects on 200ha of salad and vegetable crops in the camp del Turia and L'Horta Nord areas amounted to e541,000 and crop losses of 30 per cent. The lines affected were tomatoes, capsicum, green beans and lettuce.

Growers' leaders have also used the occasion to renew their call for adequate insurance cover for the total yield of a crop.