Last Sunday, heavy storms accompanied by hail in the region of Murcia took a significant toll on the agricultural sector, mainly affecting table grapes, pears and peaches, as well as wine grapes and olive trees. The damage to infrastructure, however, is the most severe.
The storm heavily hit areas of Jumilla, Yecla, Albarán, Murcia, Archena and Blanca, with up to 42 litres per square metres in a few minutes. There were also two fires caused by lightning.
According to Pedro García, Secretary of Agriculture of COAG Murcia, there are about 150 hectares of grapes affected by hail, with 80% completely lost. With the campaign in full swing, this entails the loss of some 10.5 million kilos, "and without taking into account the consequences that the excess moisture could have in the coming days."
The damage to the vineyards and orchards is huge. About 3,500 hectares of vineyards and 1,200 hectares of olive groves have been affected.
With regard to pears, 35 hectares have been hit, with losses of around 1.3 million kilos. "Right now growers were preparing to harvest the late varieties," points out Pedro García.
The storm has also caused the loss of some 270,000 kilos of peaches and 80,000 kilos of late kakis from young plantations.
However, Pedro García stresses that damage to infrastructure is even more severe, since it is estimated it could reach 25 million Euro.
"The storm has affected quite a large area," he says. "It has left vineyards underwater, has caused damage to plots and countless kilometres of rural roads have been totally devastated by heavy downpours."