Spain - Storm destroys all apricots yet to be harvested in Caravaca

08.06.2017 617 views
The recent hailstorm recorded in the municipalities of Caravaca and Moratalla unfortunately had very negative consequences. It especially affected the districts of Barranda, Singla and La Almudema, where hailstones of two to four centimetres in diameter were observed.
Agricultural producers suffered the biggest problems, as both the rain and hail damaged the apricots that had yet to be harvested
Pedro Guerrero, head for the Nuts department at Fecoam, explained that this storm has affected "the little apricot that had yet to be harvested, as well as the olives that were now in the middle of the setting stage, which although still small, may have suffered a lot of damage," he lamented.
Guerrero also recalled that this hail has affected the cereal that was still unharvested. Lastly, he recalled that "at a foliar level, it has caused damage to all trees, and in the almond sector, it may have damaged the tree more than the fruit," explaining that "these losses of foliage caused by hail affect the tree's health at a time when it may be difficult for it to continue bearing the fruit it had in all its branches."
The vehicles that were circulating the roads in the area at that time were also surprised by the severe storm, which left up to 17 litres per square meter in an hour in some places. The drivers had to take refuge in petrol stations and restaurants of the area until the storm was over. In the hamlet of Barranda, more than half a dozen cars were damaged, as the hail broke their windscreens.
The roads also suffered the impact of the storm, especially the one connecting Caravaca and Venta de Cavila, as well as the access to some districts, where several dry riverbeds were flooded.
The authorities asked everyone to take all possible precautions.
Source - laopiniondemurcia.es
24.09.2026

India - Horticulture supports 35 lakh people, contributes 10pc to J&K GDP

Horticulture continues to remain a key pillar of Jammu and Kashmir's economy, with around 35 lakh people, including nearly 7.5 lakh families, directly or indirectly dependent on the sector, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

24.09.2026

Canada - P.E.I. agriculture insurance payouts totalled $110 million for 2025 drought

Drought conditions in the summer of 2025 made for a punishing year for P.E.I. farmers, so much so that claims paid out under a provincial agriculture insurance program added up to $111 million.

24.09.2026

India - Govt committed to weather- based crop insurance scheme for apple crop; awaiting GoI nod

Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar on Wednesday said that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir is fully committed to implementation of the Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) to bring apple under insurance cover.

24.09.2026

Severe weather caused CHF60m Swiss crop damage

The summer drought and hail storms caused CHF59.2 million in crop damage, according to agricultural insurer Hagel Schweiz. This is almost three times as much damage as last summer.

24.09.2026

USA - US$7.5 million project develops multi-task orchard robots

A Cornell-led research project is developing autonomous orchard robots for pollination, fruit thinning, apple harvesting, and inter-row weeding. 

24.09.2026

Australia trials laser-based soil sensing for precision fertiliser use

A new technology promises to give growers pinpoint accuracy when applying fertiliser, which could bring down costs, increase efficiencies and enable better decisions within tight seasonal windows.

23.09.2026

India - Maharashtra Government Prepares to Declare 100% Drought Amid Severe Crop Losses

The Maharashtra government is set to officially declare a 100% drought by the end of September as prolonged dry spells devastate Kharif crops across 20 districts, prompting immediate relief measures and demands for federal assistance.

23.09.2026

Canada - OFA submission regarding fish and wildlife modernization and proposed permit changes

OFA has provided comments to the Ministry of Natural Resources for their consultation on proposed changes to streamline natural resource permits: fish and wildlife modernization.