Extensive damage reported to citrus and avocados, along with agricultural infrastructure
Weeks of strong winds have caused extensive damage to crops in Valencia. Gusts reached up to 170km and hour last weekend, wreaking havoc on farms across the regoin.
Initial estimates from agricultural organisations La Unió Llauradora and Ava-Asaja peg the losses at €26mn-€30mn. But they warned this initial estimate does not yet include indirect damage or destruction to farms, especially greenhouses destroyed by the intensity of the wind.
The hurricane-force winds have caused severe damage to all types of crops but citrus is reported to be the worst affected. The gusts have resulted in extensive fruit drop and what is known as ‘rameado’ – marks on the skin caused by branches hitting the fruit. While this does not affect the internal quality of the fruit, it means it is more likely to be sold for processing rather than fresh.
The wind has also stripped many leaves from trees and even snapped branches, especially in grafted fields, where the shoots of the newly planted variety are more vulnerable to this type of weather.
In farms that were still waiting to be harvested, losses are believed to range from 25- 45 per cent.
Nacho Juarez, Anecoop’s citrus manager, told Fruitnet: “In the Valencian Community and Murcia, we have confirmed fruit drop damage of approximately 25 per cent in Lane Late, 15 per cent in Nadorcott/Tango and 40 per cent in Sanguinelli, a particularly sensitive variety. Minor damage has been reported in the Lane Late, Salustiana, and Valencia varieties”.
Juarez pointed out that if the wind continues, it will further affect these late varieties, on which the fruit is still firmly attached to the tree. “Commercial yield will also be affected (branch damage and injuries) in all varieties,” he added.
Weeks of westerly wind have also made it harder for fruit trees to accumulate the necessary chill hours, which could bring forward flowering and compromise the next season’s crop, growers said.
Similarly, significant losses are being reported in all types of greenhouses and covered vegetable crops.
Juarez pointed out that the fall in Spanish citrus output will be compounded by losses to Andalusian production due to poor fruit condition caused by prolonged rainfall in the region.
