Stone fruit campaign in Extremadura severely affected by rainfall

The stone fruit season in Extremadura (Spain) is severely affected by the recent rainfall, with a particularly severe impact on cherries in the north of Cáceres. The rains at the end of April and beginning of May have already reduced early cherry harvests, and the latest storms could be decisive, especially for the picot harvest, which many farmers consider almost lost.

 

UPA-UCE Extremadura highlights the difficult situation of cherry growers, affected for the second year running. The organisation criticises the changes in the cherry insurance last year, which resulted in fewer policies being purchased and reductions in compensation. In a meeting with Ana Rodríguez, Director General for Production and Markets in the Ministry of Agriculture, UPA-UCE asked for adjustments in insurance policies and more support for growers in the region.

 

In other stone fruit crops, there is a 40% decrease in plum production due to problems during flowering and fruit set. On the other hand, production of peaches and nectarines is expected to be stable compared to last year.

In relation to prices, UPA-UCE mentions that these have remained at similar levels to those of the previous year, except for cherries, whose price has fallen. The organisation also applauds the improvements in the Food Chain Law, although it regrets that the prices stipulated in the contracts do not reflect the reality of the market and demands an investigation and review of these practices.

 

Finally, it highlights the lack of workers for fruit harvesting, urging the authorities to look for solutions to this problem in future seasons.