Asaja Almeria has made the first assessment of the forecasts for the 2025 spring season, highlighting a dynamic situation in the province's crops.
According to initial estimates, the area devoted to watermelon will remain similar to that of the previous season. The Níjar area continues to be marked by its early plantings, which are carried out 15 to 20 days earlier than in other areas. Watermelon was affected by pests in the previous season so its surface area has not increased significantly.
Meanwhile, the melon area has increased by 20 to 25%. It's become a more attractive alternative for many farmers who have decided to change crops due to virus and pest issues. Melon has not been affected by any notable pests. Classic varieties such as Piel de Sapo and yellow melons remain popular. The Galia and Cantaloupe varieties are being grown less because they have not been sufficiently profitable in recent years.
The success of watermelons and melons depends largely on spring's weather conditions. These summer crops need dry weather to grow well.
The tomato area increased by more than 40%. There will also be a lot more cucumbers planted, especially the Almería-type cucumber. This increase is partly due to the appearance of Thrips Parvispinus, a pest that causes a lot of damage to long-cycle crops, such as peppers. As a result, many growers are switching to short-cycle crops, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and melons.
Farmers in Almeria continue to struggle with high production costs. These increased by approximately 30% in previous seasons and have remained stable since then; however, social security contributions continue to rise.
Asaja Almería stressed that the 2025 spring season will be marked by significant changes in crop area, especially in crops such as melon, spring tomato, and cucumber. Almeria's farmers continue to adapt to market demands, climate challenges, and pests and viruses to ensure the sustainability of their farms.
For more information:
Asaja Almería
Email: info@asajaalmeria.org
https://asajaalmeria.org/