Producers in La Ribera face many obstacles to be able to carry out a profitable productive activity, which the region depends on, financially speaking. One of them is the weather. The most recent frosts will cause the production of the new kaki campaign to fall by between 30 and 35%, according to the first estimates of the Unió de Llauradors.
Although the sector is cautious about the consequences this will have in the next campaign, AVA was the first agricultural union to report that the damage affects different types of crops. Stone fruit trees (apricots, peaches, nectarines, Paraguayo peaches, etc.) are the most hit by the sudden drop in temperatures recorded last March, but also kakis and the earliest citrus fruits and almonds. The damage has affected both the flowers and the buds.
"It is still early to estimate the actual extent of the losses for the sector," said José Carlos Martínez, district secretary of La Unió. He added that "some of the damage caused by frost can be seen with the naked eye, but some is hidden and will not be detectable for 30 or 40 days."
He pointed out that, at present, despite the spring temperatures recorded in recent days, "many flowers are still falling from the kaki trees due to the collateral effects of the cold," he said. For that reason, he stressed that the next few weeks will be crucial to determine the exact magnitude of the damages caused by frost in the region. "We don't know if the flowers that have remained on the trees will eventually fall or develop into fruit," added José Carlos Martínez.
"There are retailers which are aware of the fact that there will be a decline in the production volume, and therefore, they are looking for supplies. Some are already buying kakis forty days earlier than last season and at similar prices," he said.
AVA recalled that these frosts follow those recorded at the end of February, which affected about 500 hectares, according to Agroseguro.
Source: levante-emv.com