Berry and vegetable producers hit by high winds and heavy rains
Storm Kristin, the latest weather front to sweep through the Iberian Peninsula, has caused significant damage to fruit and vegetable production in southern Spain. According to local reports, the storm has damaged infrastructure and caused widespread flooding to farms.
Agricultural organisation UPA-Huelva said the storm came just at the start of the strawberry campaign in Huelva and is expected to delay production and impact the profitability of the season. Growers will need to repair damage to greenhouses and polytunnels and replant the fruit lost in the storm, forcing back the start of the peak production period in March.
And with more wind and rain forecast, the outlook remains uncertain.
In Almería, meanwhile, Kristin brought significant rainfall and wind gusts exceeding 150km per hour according to official state meteorological records. This has caused widespread damage to infrastructure, particularly to greenhouses in Poniente and El Ejido.
Despite the inclement weather, provincial authorities are reporting that most of the Almería region continues to harvest vegetables normally.
