Thrips parvispinus is spreading unstoppably in Almería and Granada

At its meeting on October 13, the COEXPHAL board of directors unanimously approved submitting a series of urgent measures to the Department of Agriculture of the Regional Government of Andalusia to address the spread of Thrips parvispinus, a pest that continues to cause serious damage to vegetable crops in the provinces of Almería and Granada. The association believes that the current situation requires a coordinated, decisive, and immediate response from all relevant government agencies and all stakeholders involved in agricultural production.

Warning and Mandatory Measures

COEXPHAL warns that the scale of this pest outbreak requires a shift from recommendations to the effective implementation of mandatory measures that will reduce pest pressure, minimize its spread, and preserve the competitiveness of intensive horticulture in southeastern Spain. Among the main actions proposed is the implementation of a “zero-waste” cleanup of agricultural debris, with special attention to riverbeds, rural roads, and areas near farms. Likewise, the organization welcomes the establishment of a reporting channel, the implementation of biological control measures tailored to each production area and time of year, as well as greater oversight of compliance with protocols for uprooting and disposing of crops.

Support Measures for Losses Exceeding 30%

Similarly, the organization considers it necessary to establish support measures for farms that have suffered particularly severe losses, proposing compensatory aid for producers who can demonstrate damage exceeding 30% of their production.

2.83 million metric tons in the last marketing year

During the 2025/2026 season, members marketed a total volume of 2,836,713 metric tons, most of which was destined for export. The entire volume sold comes from 11,000 farmers, whose crops are grown on 33,300 hectares, of which approximately 25,000 are winter-grown. These vegetable growers, in turn, provide employment for nearly 60,000 people from 150 different nationalities.

For more information on Almería’s vegetable production, its challenges, and strategies, please click here.