Agricultural losses are immense in the Valencia region. The exceptional floods at the end of October particularly affected the production of persimmons, smooth-skinned, orange-coloured fruits highly appreciated in Asia. China is the largest producer, but Spain is the main exporter and prices have already started to rise.
70 to 80% of Spanish persimmons grow in the Valencia region. The majority of production is therefore affected. The harvest had started a month ago, when the floods occurred. It was supposed to continue until around mid-December, with marketing until the end of January, but obviously the usual program will be upset.
Of the volumes left to collect, at least half have been destroyed. On some plots, losses amount to as much as 70%, according to the Spanish Persimmon Association, which is calling for direct aid, tax relief and a specific recovery plan for producers.
Read alsoFloods in Spain: Finance Minister calls for rapid adoption of the 2025 budget to start reconstruction
Fruit destroyed or waterlogged
The surviving fruit was waterlogged. It will therefore be impossible to keep them in cold storage for three or four weeks to prolong the campaign, as traditionally happens. It may also be difficult to collect them all. Many rural roads have been washed away by water, access to fields is complicated and will remain so for several weeks.
The other obstacle is simply that “ there is almost no one to collect today,” explains the director of the French structures of the Anecoop cooperative, Jean-Luc Angles – which represents around 50% of Spanish production -, the priority is often elsewhere for the producers, directly affected by the catastrophe.
Price increasing by 10 to 20%
Even before the floods, Spain’s harvest was predicted to be weaker than last year and ultimately catastrophic. Producer prices did not take long to increase, they are already 10-20% higher. The promotional operations implemented in large-scale retail trade were logically deprogrammed.
Europe will have to deal with fewer persimmons this year,Spain being the world’s leading exporter and Europe’s leading supplier. The second is Italy, but the country is far behind and therefore will not be able to compensate for the Spanish deficit.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Agricultural Expert on Valencia’s Flood Impact
Editor: Good morning, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Laura Martinez, an agricultural economist and expert on the effects of climate on farming. Welcome, Dr. Martinez!
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The recent floods in Valencia have been catastrophic, especially for the persimmon industry. Can you give us a sense of the scale of the damage?
Dr. Martinez: Absolutely. The Valencia region is responsible for 70 to 80% of Spain’s persimmon production. With floods wiping out half or more of the remaining harvest, we’re looking at devastating losses for local farmers. Some plots have reported losses up to 70%. This is significant not just for farmers but also for the entire supply chain.
Editor: That’s alarming. For those who may not be familiar, why is persimmon such an important crop for Spain?
Dr. Martinez: Persimmons are highly prized, especially in Asian markets. Spain is the main exporter to these regions, making it a key player in the global fruit trade. The timing is also crucial; the harvest season, which started just a month before the floods, is typically followed by a marketing phase extending through January. With these disruptions, we can expect rising prices and reduced availability.
Editor: Speaking of prices, we’ve already begun to see a spike. How do you anticipate this will impact consumers and the market as a whole?
Dr. Martinez: We can expect higher prices due to the reduced supply. This will likely affect consumers both in Spain and abroad. The market will be driven by demand, especially from Asia which relies heavily on Spanish exports. This could also lead to gaps in availability, impacting the fruit’s market status until the next harvest.
Editor: That sounds concerning. You mentioned tax relief and direct aid being called for by the Spanish Persimmon Association. How effective do you think these measures would be in providing relief to farmers?
Dr. Martinez: Direct aid and tax relief can be pivotal. Immediate financial support can help farmers recover from immediate losses, but it’s also essential for long-term sustainability. Investing in infrastructure improvements and disaster preparedness can help mitigate these issues in future seasons.
Editor: These floods are a stark reminder of climate change’s impact on agriculture. In your opinion, how can the agricultural sector better prepare for such extreme weather events moving forward?
Dr. Martinez: Adapting to climate change requires a multi-faceted approach. Farmers need access to better predictive tools to foresee weather patterns and utilize more resilient farming practices. Additionally, investments in sustainable water management, soil health, and diverse crop systems can help create a buffer against extreme weather events. Coordination between government policy, local communities, and agricultural associations will be key.
Editor: Very insightful points, Dr. Martinez. As we wrap up, what message would you share with farmers in Valencia who might be feeling discouraged after these floods?
Dr. Martinez: I would say, although the current situation is undoubtedly tough, resilience is essential. Lean on community support, embrace enhancements in practices and infrastructure, and stay informed. Agricultural sectors have always faced challenges; innovation and adaptability will be your best allies in the road ahead.
Editor: Thank you for your valuable insights, Dr. Martinez. We appreciate your time and expertise today. Let’s hope for a speedy recovery for Valencia’s agricultural community.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you! Let’s keep the conversation going and raise awareness about these important issues.
Editor: Absolutely! Thank you to our audience for joining us today. Until next time!