Exports and production are still reeling in Spain following heavy rainfall and a tornado last week as more rains are forecast for the end of this week.
The tornado itself - thought to have had a diameter of 50 metres - caused most damage in La Molina during its 15-minute rampage, where about 14 greenhouses were ripped apart. It also wrecked six greenhouses in Puesto Rubio and caused further damage in San Agustin and Las Norias.
“The plastic covering of the greenhouses was completely destroyed - all in all 30 to 50 hectares,” said Uwe Schwießelmann from Almerian exporters’ association Coexphal. “Of course, the plants in these greenhouses were severely damaged, too.”
The storm also saw a high-voltage power line destroyed, which led to a black out in the region.
“Floods occurred due to rainfall of more than 100 litres per square metre in just 10 to 20 minutes in some areas, which caused damage - especially in the crops of greenhouses situated close to normally dry river beds,” Schwießelmann added.
Sendings of various products have been severely disrupted. Courgettes ran very short and prices on UK wholesale markets this week were as high as 850p for five kilos. Furthermore, prices ex-quay for Moroccan courgettes reached €1.80 a kilo.
“It has rained a lot and delayed production and departures,” said Julien Taratay of Agriveg. “Courgettes and tomatoes were affected and growers were not able to harvest. Also, demand on export markets has been weak and broccoli prices for example have fallen.”
As FPJ went to press, Taratay was expecting more rainfall on Thursday to affect the whole Mediterranean coast of Spain. And John Grieve of UK importer Lisons confirmed more rain forecast for the Huelva region.
“They do need the rain and the markets are very slow at the moment, but all picking activity stops when it rains,” said Grieve. He confirmed that there had been supply problems with broccoli, but that the rainfall is beneficial for strawberry plants in the region.
