Spain’s Union of Small Farmers (UPA) has estimated that the damage caused to fruit and vegetable production, greenhouses and agricultural infrastructure in Andalusia as a result of the wettest December for 50 years could reach as much as €500m.
Although the weeks of heavy rains, flooding and high winds have helped ease water shortages in southern Spain, UPA Andalusia said the weather had wreaked havoc with both early crops and plants that were at the important floration stage.
According to official data, December 2009 was the wettest month in the region for the last 50 years, with an estimated 229 per cent more rain falling in Andalusia during the month compared with the traditional average.
The organisation said the weather conditions had caused serious damage to greenhouses and polytunnels in provinces such as Almeria, Granada and Huelva – in the case of the latter, UPA said 30 per cent of agricultural structures had been destroyed by high winds.
In a statement, UPA said that the overall damage to the Andalusia’s infrastructure was likely to total more than €12m.
In terms of fruit and vegetables, the group said that vegetables, and in particular tomatoes and cucumbers, was the most affected category.
According to UPA, an estimated €300m worth of damage, equivalent to 30 per of overall production, has been done to crops in the province of Almeria as a result of the rains. The conditions have led to widespread fungus damage in crops and floration problems, particularly in cucumbers.
In the nearby province of Granada, the organisation said some €65m worth of tomatoes and other crops had been damaged by the weather.
Citrus production in Andalusia, principally in the provinces of Sevilla and Cordoba, has also suffered “considerable damage”, according to UPA, with early varieties such as Navelina and Salustiana said to be the most affected. Damage in the provinces has been estimated at 20 per cent of the production, which is equivalent to some €56m.
Strawberry and raspberry production in Huelva has not escaped damage – according to UPA, 80 per cent of early production has been lost and damage to floration could lead to eventual losses as high as €75m.
The organisation added that some €6m worth of rain-related damage had also been done to minor crops, particularly beetroot production in the province of Cadiz.
