The course of the vegetable season in the Spanish region of Murcia has been significantly affected by abundant rainfall over the last week. Around 1,000 hectares devoted mainly to lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and artichoke have been flooded, and according to the main agricultural organizations, the situation has resulted in damages worth over 10 million euros. The sector is now concerned, given the forecasts of more rain.
"We've had some very difficult days in the sector," says Felipe López, Sales Director of the Murcian cooperative Gregal. "We have hardly been able to harvest and we've obtained very small quantities because, in addition to flooded and muddy plots, which is making it impossible for heavy machinery to enter, this has coincided with Ramadan, and many pickers come from Morocco and other Muslim countries."
"Demand has been strong these days and there has been some unrest in the markets because there is not enough production available," says Felipe. Although the rains have given Murcian growers a little respite this week, the weather is expected to worsen again. "We are expecting more rain from tomorrow onwards and, although we were starting to recover a certain degree of normality, now producers are once again nervous about having to stop their activity again or face further losses."
As far as the direct impact on production is concerned, leafy crops are the most affected, and these are also proving to be the most difficult to harvest. In flooded fields, plants die from root asphyxia due to a lack of oxygen in the roots.
There is also concern about the appearance of fungus due to this excess humidity and the impact on quality in the coming days. "It will be important for the right treatments to be carried out for the remainder of the winter season, which is around 25% away from completion," says Felipe López.