Producers in the Region of Murcia will see throughout this week the devastating effects that the extreme meteorological phenomenon that affected the Community last Monday. On Monday, the crops were subjected in just a few hours to extreme temperatures, unusually low relative humidity, and scorching gales that dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and woody crops.
According to the agricultural organization Coag-Ir Murcia, the event, which has occurred with special virulence in the highlands, has dehydrated the plants, paralyzed the physiological evolution of crops, burned flowers in vegetable and fruit crops, mainly melon and watermelon. Woody crops, especially citrus and olive fruit trees, suffered great dehydration and desiccation on the peduncles of the fruits. In the coming days, producers will see more effects, such as serious fattening problems and a lot of volume falling to the ground, a phenomenon that is already beginning to happen.
The heat hits pears just before harvest
One of the most affected crops was the pear, mainly in the Altiplano (Jumilla), the regional agrarian organization stated. This fruit, protected by the Jumilla Designation of Origin, was about to be harvested and estimates are that 30% of the production fell to the ground; an unexpected decline in what was to be an excellent harvest, with damage of between 20% and 50% depending on the location of the plots.
The farmers of the region assume that the normal biological fattening of the pear has been suddenly interrupted and that the product will be discarded by the market due to a lack of size and quality. The fruit will continue to fall to the ground during the next few days so producers will be able to assess the magnitude of their losses over the next few days.
Source: COAG-IR Murcia / murcia.com