Agriculture in Murcia suffers heavy losses due to rain and hail storms

Agriculture in the Region of Murcia (Spain) has been affected by a recent storm of heavy rain, hail and strong winds, causing both short and long-term damage to farmers and the local economy. In the coming days, detailed assessments will be carried out to quantify the damage and plan the necessary recovery measures.

 

So far, an estimated 3,400 hectares have been affected, not counting the losses caused by the heavy rains that hit the region on Wednesday afternoon. The most affected municipality is Calasparra, with 1,230 hectares damaged and losses estimated at 23,320 tonnes of production, valued at 19.4 million euros. It is also estimated that between 800 and 1,000 hectares in Cieza and the surrounding area have suffered damage, especially to stone fruit trees such as peaches, apricots and nectarines.

 

Antonio Moreno, Secretary for Agriculture and Water for UPA in Murcia, has pointed out that in Cieza the damage will exceed 2 million kilos of fruit, including several varieties of yellow peach (such as those of the PGI "Melocotón de Cieza"), apricot, nectarine and Paraguayan that had not yet been harvested.