In spring, producers often say: "Let it rain, but let it rain well." While the rains of a month ago were beneficial, the latest hailstorms in May have proven catastrophic for stone fruit. Not only Murcia, but also Extremadura and Lleida have been hit by hail, so a shortage of fruit is expected, with the consequent influence on prices.
José María Pérez, operations manager and head of stone fruit for El Ciruelo, speaks of "substantial losses, not only in fruit, but also in jobs for the sector. Fortunately, in the early mid-season areas where El Ciruelo has its plantations, there has been no damage. As for the late crops, 10% of the production has been affected."
© El Ciruelo
"Thursday's hailstorm in the area of the Mula river, where stone fruit has been badly affected, was followed by Saturday's hailstorm in the municipalities of Jumilla, Yecla, and Hellín. Apricot is the most damaged fruit, besides nectarines, peaches, Paraguayo peaches and cherries." Commenting on this serious setback, Pérez says that "nothing can be used, not even for preserves or juices, because the fruit has suffered very severe damage and the price paid for it doesn't make it worth picking it from the tree." For this reason, "a lot of the fruit will be left unharvested and allowed to just fall to the ground."
"The part of the crops covered with netting has been saved, but those that were unprotected have been destroyed. Even the wood has been damaged, so we'll have to see what happens with the next harvest," says Pérez.
"Before Murcia, Lleida, and Extremadura were also hit by hail. Consequently, there will be a remarkable lack of fruit. Whatever good quality fruit is left will reach high prices," says the manager.
"In mid-June there will be a noticeable gap in stone fruit supply, because in addition to the hail in Murcia, Extremadura and Lleida, there have also been frosts in Turkey and Greece, so this time we won't see a confluence of fruit from various sources and the consequent drop in prices," says Pérez.
"There have been many issues with the plum setting in Extremadura for the same reason, and the harvest will be reduced by 50%," says Pérez, adding that all this damage will result in a "hard blow to employment."
"Most of the work had already been done, including the thinning, which is an important part of the costs. Now the fruit has to be harvested, and this is where many jobs are going to be lost. If we don't get a disaster area declaration, it will be very difficult for some growers to be compensated for the damage," says Pérez.
For more information:
José María Pérez
El Ciruelo
Tel.: +34 968 630 645
[email protected]
www.elciruelo.com
