Heavy rains and hailstorms have damaged early stonefruit production in Murcia. According to local reports, areas such as the Vega Media and Ricote Valley have been particularly affected by the latest storms, which struck on Friday.
Following a visit to the affected areas over the weekend, Miguel Angel del Amor, the regional Minister of Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, said an initial evaluation suggested the damage extended over an area of around 2,800ha.
Peach, apricot, nectarine, flat peach and table grape production in the municipalities of Ulea, Fortuna and Molina de Segura, as well as in some areas of Jumilla and Santomera, bore the brunt of the rains and storms. Many of these areas had already suffered an earlier episode of hail in March.
With the early stonefruit campaign already underway, affected growers said the damage to fruit is so severe that it will have to go for juicing.
