According to a first estimate by La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, the 'cold drop' (DANA) that devastated some regions of the Valencian Community caused the agricultural sector losses of approximately 816 million euros.
The weather event damaged structures and also affected the crops directly. Nearly 172,000 hectares may present structural damages of greater or lesser intensity, and about 50,000 hectares of crops may be affected. The weather event affected citrus, kaki, vegetable crops, nurseries, and ornamental plants the most. It also caused damages, but to a lesser extent, to vineyards, where there could be losses of more than 300 million euros. Almond crops had already been harvested and other crops, such as cereals and other herbaceous crops, had not been planted yet. The possible impact of root asphyxia on plants and trees in the flooded areas and the drainage capacity of the fields will have to be checked for a more exhaustive assessment of the damage.
The main losses are structural and focus on infrastructures, cleaning, and the use of fungicides, with a provisional figure of over EUR 511 million. There is damage to roads and margins, irrigation infrastructure, margins and retaining walls in terraces, irrigation ditches, tool sheds, machinery, greenhouses, and groundworks in fields and roads. In addition, some crops were lost because of landslides.
The most affected regions in the province of Valencia are Ribera Alta, Camp de Túria, l'Horta Sud, Utiel-Requena, la Hoya de Buñol, la Serranía, el Rincón de Ademuz, la Ribera Baixa, l'Horta Nord (southern districts of Valencia and Paterna) and la Safor. The most affected region in the province of Castellón is Baix Maestrat. The first three are undoubtedly the most damaged. The first three are undoubtedly the most damaged.
As far as livestock farms are concerned, estimates are that around 9,000 animals have died, in addition to the disappearance of numerous beekeepers' hives. Losses have been quantified at more than 4 million euros.
This DANA, its heavy rains, hail, and strong winds, which in some cases were accompanied by several tornadoes, has been the most destructive weather phenomenon for Valencian and Spanish agriculture since there are records.
La Unió hopes that, in view of the magnitude of the disaster, the different Administrations will rise to the occasion and provide sufficient economic support to the farmers and ranchers of the Valencian Community. The organization has already presented a broad and ambitious package of urgent compensatory measures to the Regional Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture, including, among others, the need for direct aid, fiscal and labor measures, and reparation.
For more information:
Carles Peris
La Unió
Tel.: +34 963 530 036
Email: [email protected]
https://launio.org