Although the unexpected storm recorded on Tuesday caused serious damage to certain plantations, the phenomenon is not expected to take a toll on a large scale on the good volume and quality achieved lately at the Uruguayan Mercado Modelo, according to Pablo Pacheco, representative of the commercial area of the said wholesale centre.
According to the web site of the Uruguayan newspaper El Observador, the most vulnerable crops to this type of phenomena are leafy vegetables, mainly spinach, chard, and lettuce, which during the year 2016 recorded very good results in terms of both volume and quality; therefore, if there are drawbacks, prices will be slightly affected.
In the case of deciduous fruits, the harvest of peaches, plums and grapes is in full swing, without great difficulties. The first apple batches, of a crop that will have to supply the market throughout the year, are also being inspected, and there is relief because no significant impact has been detected.
However, there is a greater uneasiness amongst producers, as stated by the representative of the Association of Producers of Canelones (APAC), Gerardo Martinez, who told the newspaper that the weather situation generates a lot of uncertainty in the sector. It is very difficult to produce under these conditions, "if we take into account that, over the last few months, we have had to deal with almost one atmospheric phenomenon per week, with hurricanes or strong winds," said Martínez.
Meanwhile, APAC vice president, Luis Fabreto, stated that the intensity of the wind knocked off many fruits which were close to being harvested, namely peaches and plums. The storm also caused damage to apples that were not yet ripe and which also fell from the trees. The impact of this may be reflected when the harvest season starts. Similarly, the storm caused the destruction of lettuce and chard crops, as well as of greenhouses located on different estates of rural Montevideo and the metropolitan fringe.
Source - http://www.freshplaza.com
