La Unió Llauradora reported that last Saturday's hailstorm affected more than 8,700 hectares of crops in the Vall d'Albaida region. The most affected municipalities are located in Bèlgida and Ontinyent, where there are plots with 100% damage.
Several storms caused some rainfall on Saturday, ranging from just a few drops to 25 liters/m², and in some cases, accompanied by hail, although unevenly. The damage was concentrated in the south-western part of the region, affecting the municipalities of Atzeneta, Agullent, Albaida, Bèlgida, Benissoda, Bufali, Carricola, Otos, El Palomar, La Pobla del Duc, and Ontinyent.
These municipalities produce citrus fruits, kaki, stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, and apricots), olives, almonds, vines, and some vegetables.
"Stone fruit crops were the most affected because the hail had a very negative impact on them. No matter how small the hail was, its impact left marks on the fruit, which is almost ready for harvesting, causing fruit rot. In addition, the rains are now causing cracking or splitting of the skin," the organization stated.
"The hail also left very pronounced marks on some citrus fruits, which could cause the fruit to fall, and render the fruit that doesn't fall unmarketable. The storm also affected the almond crops, marking the fruits and probably affecting the size and quality of the almonds that remain on the tree," they stated.
"It's still too early to analyze the damage caused to kaki crops, but damage has already been observed in the fruit and shoots that are currently very tender, which could affect the future wood of the tree, as well as production. The same applies to vines. Vegetables have suffered a great deal because they are a very tender and sensitive product, which in many cases was just beginning to grow."
La Unió stated that the current agricultural insurance system covers these weather adversities and that they would ask Agroseguro to speed up the appraisals of the affected plots. The organization will also demand direct aid for those affected, the cancellation of the IBI tax on cultivated plots and buildings on them, a one-year reduction of Social Security contributions, the establishment of loans with subsidized interest rates, and a series of actions and aid for the affected marketing cooperatives.
The rains that fell in other areas of the region (with no hail) will be beneficial for all crops, except for stone fruit that is close to ripening, as the rains can cause cracking and render these fruits unfit for sale.
