The falling temperatures recorded in the province of Alicante have been positively welcomed by growers, as they are needed by crops such as wine grapes.
"These changes in the weather are very beneficial for fruit trees and winter crops. At first we were alarmed, because cold temperatures may have caused damage to late potato crops, but no significant losses have been suffered, as they already were at an advanced development stage," explained the president of Asaja Alicante, Eladio Aniorte.
Asaja Alicante believes that these changes in the weather are "a step forward" for the province's crops. In general, the outcome will be positive, because falling temperatures are also a way of regulating production. It will allow for lemons to increase in size and for the harvest of beans and artichokes to improve even more; even cherries will benefit from the low temperatures.
Despite Alicante's agricultural crisis, the winter weather boosts the consumption of products such as citrus. Vitamin C in orange juice, for example, prevents flus and colds.
Although the wind has caused damages in other provinces, like Castellón, it has not affected Alicante's crops. Quite the contrary, says Asaja Alicante's president, "it has acted as an antifungal after the recent rainfall."
Despite these benefits, Asaja Alicante's Technical Department is still "cautious" because, if frost appears, significant damages could be caused to very important crops, such as table grapes.