Crisis in the Lleida Pyrenees apple crop

Apple producers in the mountainous areas of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida (Spain) are facing the worst harvest in their history, due to ten consecutive days of intense frosts that followed an unusually early flowering period.

 

A representative of a local cooperative has expressed concern that this unprecedented event has resulted in the total loss of this year's production. The cooperative, which has 12 members from various comarques including Pallars Sobirà, Alta Ribagorça, Solsonès, Berguedà and Cerdanya, has never faced a crisis of this magnitude in its ten years of commercial operation.

 

The early flowering, induced by an unusually warm winter, left the plantations exposed to frosts in May. This phenomenon, although common in the Pyrenees, has caused havoc this year due to its intensity and prolongation.

 

Local growers also point to other challenges typical of growing in mountainous areas, such as strong winds, severe storms, frequent hailstorms and the incursion of wildlife, which further complicate farming in these areas.

 

To prevent frost damage, the installation of sprinkler irrigation systems is recommended. However, this system requires a significant water flow of 40 litres per hectare per second and is costly, which restricts its practical application for many farmers in the region.