Citrus producers in the Spanish region of Valencia suffered losses estimated at €89.3m during the recent bout of cold weather and frosts that struck the south-east of the country, according to a study of damages caused.
The frosts, which affected production in areas of Valencia and neighbouring Murcia for several days from 20 January, are believed to have adversely affected as much of €125m worth of crops, with vegetables and loquats damaged as well as citrus.
In an statement, Valencian agricultural association La Unió de Llauradors said the region’s citrus sector had been the most affected by the weather, with losses of €60.5m, €20m and €8.7m reported in the internal provinces of Valencia, Castellón and Alicante respectively.
The organisation said vegetable growers in the three provinces suffered losses totalling €31.5m, while loquat producers were said to have lost €1.5m worth of fruit.
However, La Unió criticised the regional government of Valencia for “not providing support for those affected” by the frosts, or for growers whose crops were damaged by a previous onset of cold weather in December last year.
