A range of fruit crops in regions of eastern Spain have been destroyed by severe hailstorms that have taken out a variety of Valencian export lines.

Hail stones the size of golf balls violently rained down in Valencia on Tuesday with disastrous consequences, according to the Valencian Farmers Association (AVA-ASAJA).

Early estimates calculate approximately 45,000 hectares of citrus, persimmons and melons have been badly affected with between 60-100% of the crops damaged.

The inclement weather hit the Iberian country on Tuesday (June 24) and lasted for several hours, leaving tracts of agricultural land covered in a blanket of hail stones.

It is too early to know how much of the fruit can be salvaged, but the growers’ association confirms this week’s storm will have an immediate impact on this season’s melon and watermelon crops, and will badly affect the 2014-15 citrus and persimmon campaigns.

The season for these fruits is currently in full swing and the hail storm comes at the worst possible time, says AVA-BDA president Cristóbal Aguado.

“This storm is a real disaster and the worst part is that it never rains but it pours; the hail comes on top of other recent hailstorms in various Valencian regions,” he said in a release.

In the aftermath of the crop damage, AVA-ASAJA is calling on the Spanish Government to help farmers who will undoubtedly suffer financial losses as a result of the storms, with many expected to abandon what were to be profitable export plans for the produce.

“Our agriculture sector is going through a critical time and the response we have received from the government is not up to the needs of this sector,” added Aguado.

The regions of Ribera, Safor, Navarrés, Antella, Alberic, Carcaixent, Massalavés, Énova and Cárcer were among the worst hit.

According to the association, vegetables were also affected by the severe storms, but to a much lesser extent compared with damage to the soft fruits.

Inspections into the damage continue.

Source - http://www.freshfruitportal.com/