The rainfall of the last few weeks is having an impact on various fruit and vegetable crops in many parts of the Iberian Peninsula. Although stone fruit harvests are still between a month and a month and a half away in the earliest areas, the excess rainfall could take a negative toll on some plum, apricot, and cherry varieties.
In Extremadura, the main plum-producing area in Spain, the earliest varieties, such as the Black Splendor, which are in full blossom, could see their production fall because the rains and low temperatures have not allowed the bees to pollinate.
"It's still too early to know the actual extent of the impact that these storms could have on the crops, as the weather can still change," says José Aurelio García, manager of the Explum cooperative, a producer and exporter of plums and other stone fruits based in Valdelacalzada, in the province of Badajoz.
"What is clear is that, 'on paper', we cannot expect a large production of early plums, as cross-pollination has been interrupted by the rain for more than two weeks," says José Aurelio.
Rainfall has also been abundant in Huelva and Seville, where the prolonged lack of sunshine is causing there to be little foliage on the trees.
In the Region of Murcia, around 50% of stone fruit varieties are in full blossom and, for the time being, the rains are only expected to have an impact on certain apricot varieties, especially those that are not self-fertile and need cross-pollination.
Producers are carrying out treatments to prevent the appearance of fungal diseases due to excess moisture.
For more information:
José Aurelio García
Explum SC
T: +34 924446338
jagarcia@explumsc.com
www.explumsc.com