416 hectares of garlic were affected by hail last week, according to the latest data recorded by Agroseguro; this is a total of 184 plots devoted to the crop in the comarca of La Mancha de Cuenca, although the figure could still increase, as experts continue carrying out inspections in the field.
According to Juan Carlos Wengel, manager of Agroseguro in Castile-La Mancha, the most urgent step has been the assessment of the early garlic production, which "has had to be reviewed immediately because the harvest is in full swing." He explains that, because of the advanced state of this variety, "it has not suffered much damage," unlike the purple garlic.
Overall, the estimate is that between 20 and 25% of the garlic production has been damaged. By municipalities, Las Pedroñeras and El Pedernoso took the worst part, with 145 and 96 hectares affected, respectively. The hail damage also affected the garlic planted in La Alberca de Záncara, Mota del Cuervo, San Clemente, La Gineta (Albacete) and El Toboso (Toledo).