The Valencian Farmers' Association (AVA-Asaja) reports that the heavy hailstorm recorded last weekend has caused significant losses totaling 9 million euros across 1,700 hectares of farms in La Costera and La Safor, particularly affecting olive, kaki, avocado, and citrus crops.
According to an initial assessment, the municipalities of Vallada, Villalonga, and Ador have experienced considerable damage to their fields. The size of the hailstones resulted in over 80% damage to olive, citrus, and persimmon trees in some plots in Moixent and Oliva. Growers warn that while damage to the fruit is already evident, the true extent of the losses will become clearer in the days to come.
© AVA-Asaja
José Luis Sanchís, AVA-Asaja's delegate in Moixent, describes the situation in the olive groves as a "disaster," with damage reaching 90%. "In some plots, barely four olive trees have survived. Losses could be in the millions," he stated. Rafa Tomás, an associated grower from Moixent, said the hail was accompanied by wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h, which was "lethal for kaki. In some plots, the entire production was lost." The same happened to some citrus crops, where the fruit was damaged and rendered unmarketable.
AVA-Asaja is urging Agroseguro to accelerate the claim assessment process and is calling on local authorities to implement urgent support measures such as direct aid, subsidized loans, and tax exemptions.
The province of Castellón was not affected by hail, as it only rained there. The rain in northern towns, such as Benicarló, Vinaròs, and Peñíscola, is beneficial for crops, helping to increase the size of seasonal produce and alleviate drought stress in the crops.
For more information:
AVA-Asaja
Email: [email protected]
www.avaasaja.org