The rainfall recorded in recent days (and weeks) in the region of Medio Vinalopó is proving very beneficial for its agriculture after the severe drought it had been suffering for years. However, according to the agricultural union La Unió de Llauradors, the abundance and persistence of rainfall is also taking a "very negative toll" on table grape crops in Vinalopó, where the harvest of the Aledo variety, the one eaten in Spain as part of the New Year's Eve celebrations, is currently underway.
The grapes are starting to crack due to an overexposure to moisture and many kilos will be lost, although those in charge of La Unió say it is still too early to evaluate the extent of the damage. This will add to the production costs for the growers, who will have to clean the grapes, which will entail an increase in the handling and packaging costs of the most precious fruit of Vinalopó.
Given this situation, it has been decided to organise a meeting next Monday in order to address the crisis. The decision has been made by the Asaja union, the Regulatory Board of the PDO Vinalopó Bagged Table Grape and the Federation of Exporters. All parties involved have been invited to this unprecedented meeting, including irrigation communities.
To all this, and as previously announced, it should be added that the table grape harvest will suffer a 25% reduction this campaign because of the impact of the prolonged drought in the vineyards; a paradoxical circumstance in these weeks of continuous rains. The loss in volume has been estimated at about five million kilos, so the total Aledo production is expected to drop from the 22,000,000 kilos of the previous season to 17,000,000 kilos in the current campaign.
Source - diarioinformacion.com
