Picassent and Benifaió were the worst affected municipalities
Hailstorms have impacted around 1,500h of production in the Valencia region, with citrus and persimmon among the worst affected crops, according to agricultural union Ava-Asaja.
While the heavy rainfall recorded in recent days has been welcomed by growers, who say it will help replenish reservoirs and aquifers depleted after months of drought, localised damage caused by the hail has hit farmers right at the start of the harvest season.
Persimmons in particular suffered because of their delicate skin. Ava-Asaja estimates that the losses range between 30 and 100 per cent in affected farms.
The worst affected municipalities are Picassent and Benifaió. Other areas, like La Vilavella in Castellón were hardly impacted. But Ava-Asaja said the torrential rains had caused localised landslides and flooded orchards in deep areas or near ravines.
