The Spanish region of Valencia has become the latest area of the country to report major damage to fruit crops as a result of a recent bout of low temperatures.
According to Valencia-based agricultural organisation La Unió, up to 35 per cent of this year’s summer stonefruit crop and half of the area’s almond production have reportedly been damaged as a result of frosts that struck the region last week.
The organisation said an estimated 51,100ha of almonds had been damaged as a result of the freezing temperatures, which predominantly affected low-lying areas, while some 4,000ha of peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums are also said to have been damaged.
Damages caused by the frosts have been estimated at €10.5m euros for peach and necatrine production, €5.1m for almonds, €2.8m for apricots and €2.5m for plums.
According to La Unió, the frosts caused such widespread damage because they occurred during the sensitive flowering stage of the crop’s development.
“Frosts during this time of year are very dangerous because this is one of the most delicate stages of a fruit’s development,” explained the organisation in a statement.
Damage, although to a lesser extent, has also been seen in Valencia’s citrus groves, where the cold temperatures affected citrus buds, leading to fears that the weather could have longer-term consequences for part of the forthcoming campaign.
