Producers must assess the damages caused by the recent hailstorm that covered the municipality of Sanlúcar with ice. The Meteorological Agency (AEMET) activated the yellow alert because of the storm in the morning. The storm was especially strong in the coastal strip, affecting towns like La Veta de la Algaida and El Llano de Bonanza, as well as the central area of Sanlúcar. The storm left considerable damage in the agricultural sector. A total of 45 liters of water fell in less than half an hour, which caused flooding in many areas of Sanlúcar and destruction in numerous agricultural greenhouses.

Alberto Barron, farmer and head of the Los Llanos de Bonanza Neighborhood Association, was assessing the losses in the fields on Wednesday. The hail affected more than 250 hectares of cultivation and has rendered useless half a hundred greenhouses in the area.

According to the agricultural organization COAG, on the Northwest Coast, the storm affected greenhouse melon, zucchini, and tomato crops. According to Luis Rivera, an entrepreneur of cut-flower crops, Tuesday's storm also affected potato and carrot plantations.

"It's a disaster for many farmers," stated Miguel Perez, provincial secretary of COAG, "especially in the area of the Llanos de Bonzanza and La Veta de La Algaida, where the hailstorm has destroyed half a hundred greenhouses." It didn't snow, but hail fell from the sky intensely for almost two hours. According to some farmers, the thickness of the ice sheet reached 40 centimeters. The greenhouses collapsed under the weight of the hail, and the ice burned the outdoor harvests of potatoes and carrots in La Algaida. It also affected newly planted crops, such as the early melon that was scheduled to be harvested two months from now.

According to Miguel Perez, the damage must be assessed, and all public administrations must focus on helping farmers affected by this natural disaster so that this productive sector, which is so fundamental to this area of the province, be restored as soon as possible.

It should be noted that these crops were not insured. In fact, producers have stressed that insurers don't want to take risks.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com