The Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations of Almeria (Coexphal) has reported that the cold, in addition to slowing down the long cycle vegetable campaign, will also be taking a toll on spring crops like melons and watermelons, "of which there could be a very small early production."
This organization, made up of 83 firms that account for 70% of Almeria's exports and 65% of the province's fruit and vegetable production, has estimated a 20% decline in the production of greenhouse vegetables as a result of the cold temperatures recorded in January.
"This campaign, the winter has been colder than in recent years, so greenhouse crops have been affected," they pointed out, after explaining that "the production has slowed down due to the slower ripening," even though there has been no frost damage.
"While given products are usually harvested daily, now they are only being harvested every two or three days," they added. According to Coexphal, the rise in prices is due to shortages in Almeria and the Netherlands, which, on the other hand, has prevented "an overlap of both campaigns."
The organization was reported to be confident that "the production that has been lost will be recovered over the next few months," after the cold affected the development of long cycle products such as peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Source - http://www.freshplaza.com
