The lack of rain that has been affecting the area since November 20 has hurt the avocado campaign, one of the most important in the municipality.
According to the president of the Cooperative, this has affected the collection of this fruit dramatically. Specifically, in the last quarter of 2011, production shrank by 20% over the same period of last year -"we collected 81 tons-and the price rose 10%, with an average of 0.98 euros a kilo of avocados".
Water shortage has made farmers irrigate crops using water from wells. To pump water out of the wells electric motors have been used, which has consumed lots of energy. The rising fertilizer prices and thefts in the area have also hurt the campaign.
Source: Diario Sur