The Agrarian Association of Young Growers (ASAJA) in the Region of Murcia has reported the loss of 60% of the tomatoes planted in areas of Águilas and Mazarrón.

ASAJA-Murcia has stated that the damage was caused by the high temperatures on Thursday, which exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, which follow up on similar levels registered in recent weeks.

Alfonso Gálvez Caravaca, general secretary of ASAJA-Murcia, said that temperatures above 40 degrees can take "a very negative toll, especially in the cultivation of tomatoes, which according to our estimates could have registered losses of up to 60 percent."

For his part, Jose Martínez Quiñonero, vice president of Asaja-Murcia, expects temperatures to drop and consequently for "the climate to become more benign, since these heat waves are very harmful and negative for Murcia's entire food industry."

Martínez Quiñonero stressed the need for "greater flexibility in the general conditions of agricultural insurances, as producers increasingly have to pay more money themselves and receive fewer benefits. In fact, the impact of the heat on tomatoes is not covered by agricultural insurances."

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com