Spain: Lettuce production falls 50% due to varying temperatures

In Murcia, the campaign of vegetables, such as the lettuce, began this year with a higher production due to the warm temperatures recorded during autumn. Exports, however, were a little delayed as producers waited for the end of the production cycles in northern and central Europe.

Things changed drastically in mid-November when the weather suddenly turned cold. This cold weather wasn't moist enough due to the lack of rain; thus, it damaged the plants and affected their productive cycle. Some of the most affected crops, besides lettuce, are broccoli and cauliflower.

"The temperature ranges around 0° at dawn, which favours the formation of frost. Things would be different if moderate rainfalls accompanied this cold weather, but there's been no rain since late August. So now the plants have stopped and aren't producing," explained Domingo Llamas, President of Hoyamar SL.

The decline in production is important, especially considering that it is in pre-Christmas holiday dates when demand is at its highest.

"Currently, we only have 20% of the volume of lettuce we expected to have produced at this time so this has changed all of our plans. Although prices are now very high due to the lack of product, the situation is quite complicated because we can't supply those supermarkets with which we had closed contracts before the campaign started," he says.

Headquartered in Lorca, Murcia, Hoyamar produces and exports lettuce of the Iceberg, Romaine and Baby varieties, packed in a plastic flow bag under the brand Hoyamar. The company's main destinations are the UK, France and Germany. Additionally, Hoyamar also produces broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi and, in summer, melons and watermelons. "We control the entire chain of production and marketing, from the nursery to the customer's door."

All production is certified by GLOBALGAP, BRC, IFS, QS, ISO 9001, ISO14001, LEAF MARQUE, the Social Pact for the Environment of the Region of Murcia and LessCO2.