A group of Writtle University College students have visited the flooded Spanish region of Almeria to witness the impact of the recent weather chaos on key production sites.
The trip was arranged by Writtle College in partnership with the University of Almeria and included tours to several producers, processors, and packhouses, including Primaflor, Vicasol, Herbex and Biosabor.
It coincided with recent flooding and snow in Almeria and southern Europe, which has caused chaos in the European wholesale and retail supply chains.
Spain supplies 80 per cent of Europe's fresh produce at this time of year, Writtle College said, but the recent weather impact means only a small proportion of those crops are now usable.
Students visited a wide range of crops, ranging from papaya to herbs, as well as state-of-the-art machinery such as open air hydroponics and robotic glasshouses.
Senior lecturer in agriculture at Writtle College, Henry Matthew, said: “This was a unique opportunity for students to experience and see first-hand the issues surrounding the production, processing, logistics and marketing of a wide range of fruit and vegetables along the value chain.
“An area such as Almeria with its low rainfall and poor quality soil requires growers to assess and develop sustainable techniques which provide some important learning points for future entrants into the industry.
“The recent adverse weather conditions further emphasised the issues of sustainable production related to continuity of supply and the students had a first-hand opportunity to study these.”
Matthew said there were also a number of discussions during the visit on the impact of the recent bad weather in Spain, and its effect on vegetable production, as well as on Brexit, water usage and labour availability.
