Spanish growers’ leaders in the region of Murcia have said their sector is just starting a “promising” stonefruit season.

Alfonso Gálvez Caravaca, ceo of producers’ association Asaja Murcia, said the forecasts for his region are encouraging. He said: “The good climatic conditions we have had this year mean we can look forward to an optimum season with good production and excellent quality.”

According to data collected by Asaja Murica, flowering both across the region and across the spectrum of stonefruit varieties was adequate. However, Gálvez Caravaca warned that it is still early days and inclement weather, particularly hail, could strike at any time. He said: “We are still at the start of the season, so it is too early to give really accurate forecasts.”

Producers in the region are hoping for a repeat of last season, which saw an increase in volume marketed and also a rise in returns. Production was up by 10 per cent across all stonefruit varieties, while values climbed an encouraging 17 per cent.