The area is well known for its pear production, but this year volumes will be reduced in the region of 30%, to 182,000 as a result of the storm.
Ruben Morte of IMAN Corp. says that even the fruit that has not been destroyed has often been damaged as a result of the storm, to the point where it can be commercialised for fresh consumption.
"The remaining production could face price increases," he says. "It depends on yield in other producing areas - Italy, for example."
Ruben goes on to explain the extent of the damage in some parts of the region, saying, "The percentage of damage, in some cases, has been high to the point of total loss, where the hail was strongest. However, where the weather was not so aggressive the remaining production is first class in terms of quality."
Thankfully for the growers there is some help at hand, with the state expected to deliver aid to the tune of 20 million Euro.
It's just the latest piece of bad news for the industry sector that is suffering decline year on year, due to a lack of viable markets and high prices. The main varieties cultivated in the region are Limonera, Conference and Blanquilla. Blanquilla is perhaps the main variety and it has seen a 60% reduction in production over the last decade.
Ruben says that the industry is not taking the matter lying down, however. "New varieties are being tested all the time, to find new solutions. At the same time new strategies are being tried to find new markets for the produce."
Currently the main export destinations are Germany, Russia and the UK, whilst much of the produce is destined for the local market.
Fo
r more information:Ruben Morte
IMAN Corp.
Tel: +34 633597230
[email protected]