Continuous heavy rains across much of Spain in recent days may have helped drought-hit crops in some regions, but the inclement weather is delaying the collection of this year’s citrus harvest in Murcia, according to a leading association.
Alfonso Gálvez Caravaca, general secretary of fresh produce association Asaja Murcia, said that although the rains had been in general terms “very positive” for producers of citrus and other fresh products, the weather was not enabling the normal collection of this season’s crop.
“The rains have caused a slow down in the citrus collection in the regions of Cartagena and La Huerta and have brought little benefit to the Murcian citrus sector,” he explained.
Despite the setback in the harvesting, Mr Gálvez admitted that there had been some positive consequences from the weather. “The rains have contributed to increasing citrus sizes, refilling aquifers and cleaning trees,” he said.
