Filomena: the losses of Valencian winter vegetables count around 9.9 million euros.

According to LA UNIÓ de Llauradors, the damage caused by the storm Filomena and the frosts brought losses of about 9.9 million euros in the winter vegetables of the Valencian Community.

The volume of affected production totals 10 million kilos and includes 2.300 hectares of cultivated surface. The regions with the greatest losses are Vega Baja (1.300 hectares), and Baix Maestrat (450 hectares). There are also valuable losses in the regions of Camp de Túria, Horta Sud, Horta Nord, Ribera Baixa and Ribera Alta.

The losses of the Vega Baja count 5.8 million euros, 1.8 in the Baix Maestrat, 1.1 in the Camp de Túria, in l'Horta Sud and l'Horta Nord more than 600.000 euros, and 442.000 euros in the Ribera Baixa and Ribera Alta .

The most affected winter vegetables are artichokes (66 percent), broccoli (24 percent), cauliflower (8 percent) and

Avocados have experienced losses of more than 370.000 euros in some producing areas.

Fortunately, the damage to citrus fruits was exceptional and even in some varieties it caused an increase of the size of the fruit.

On the other hand, the storm is beneficial for crops because it cleans the trees against possible pests and saves on watering.

source: launio