Due to the unusually warm weather in December and January, fruit and vegetable harvests in Spain's Murcia region are predicted to occur earlier than usual. This includes the early flowering of trees, says the agricultural industry.
Alfonso Galvez, general secretary of the Agrarian Association of Young Farmers of the Region of Murcia (Asaja), indicates that soil humidity hampers the normal growth of cereals and grasses. "High temperatures exacerbate drought effects on all crops," Galvez remarks, leading to increased irrigation, higher production costs, and strain on water resources.
Galvez also notes that the current heat has caused irregular flowering in extra-early fruit trees, leading to the appearance of double and triple fruits. "We already saw it last year in early fruit, specifically in peaches and nectarines," he adds.
Aside from stone fruits, warm temperatures also increase the risk of pests and diseases in vegetables and citrus fruits. Sudden snap frosts in February could cause further damage. "The humidity that vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees need is lost, affecting their vegetative power and the expected production," says Galvez.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) forecasts temperatures between 26 and 28°C in several places in Murcia today, significantly higher than the usual 17°C. This includes Vega del Segura and the Guadalentin Valley areas.
Source: murciatoday.com