The Valencian Growers Association (AVA-Asaja) reported that the high temperatures registered in the past few weeks are causing "severe problems to a good number of crops, especially artichokes."
Temperatures have increased by between 4 and 5 degrees, something quite out of the ordinary for this time of the year, and this could entail "significant quality issues for a good part of Valencia's artichoke harvest. The most affected regions, according to AVA-Asaja, are those nearest to the coast: L'Horta Nord, L'Horta Sud and La Ribera.
"However, if temperatures dropped in the coming days, the crop's development would benefit from it," explained sources from the organisation.
The physiological development of cauliflowers, cabbages and, to a lesser extent, lettuces, also presents worrying symptoms which could lead to short term drops in quality and prices.
Citrus trees could flower prematurely
Regarding citrus, high temperatures could cause a premature flowering, which "would have fatal consequences for the coming harvest if any frosts were registered," said sources from the institution.
The heat also favours the appearance of fungi, speeds up the ripening process and reduces consumption levels.
These climatic circumstances will, however, be favourable to the upcoming onion and potato harvests.
Source: Finanzas
