Storm Bernard, which hit the Spanish province of Huelva last Sunday, has caused significant damage to the berry sector, with raspberries being the most affected product. The Association of Producers and Exporters of Strawberries and Berries from Huelva (Freshuelva) estimates that about 2,000 hectares of crops have been affected.

"We are still carrying out field assessments, but the impact of the strong winds has caused damage in virtually all production areas in Huelva. In the case of raspberries, which have been in production since September, approximately 2,000 hectares have been affected to a greater or lesser extent," said Freshuelva.

"Last Sunday, Huelva and Seville recorded heavy rains throughout the day, but in the afternoon, sudden wind gusts exceeding 100 km / h caused widespread damage," says Carlos Esteve, commercial director of Onubafruit, one of the leading berry producers in Huelva, with plantations in all growing areas.

"In general, the wind has caused damage to tunnels and greenhouses. The impact has been more limited in the case of strawberries since the transplanting period is still underway, and the greenhouses do not yet have plastic. As for blueberries, the bushes are more vigorous, but the earliest plantations, which were already at an advanced stage this year, will be directly affected," he said.

Raspberries and blackberries record the most damage to infrastructures, which are more sophisticated compared to other crops, and directly to plants, which are also more fragile, so there will be consequences for the harvests during the rest of the autumn campaign.

"Since the start of the raspberry campaign this year, we have been handling smaller volumes than last year, as less has been planted due to the difficulties of the previous campaign. Other producers have followed the strategy of planting later due to the lack of water. Therefore, volumes are expected to be reduced, and there will be a more limited supply until the end of the year."

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com