Last week, heavy rainfall caused a mudslide which hit the greenhouses of fruit grower Guy Beeckmans in Strijtem (Belgium). "Around 25 liters of water per square meter fell during Wednesday night last week. From the higher situated potato field, the water flowed into my lower situated greenhouse, which contained strawberries at the moment. Around 0.1 hectares of strawberries have become so dirty they cannot be sold anymore."
"Luckily, a third of the strawberries was already harvested, but two-thirds of the harvest is still lost. The strawberries intended for direct sales are not affected, so they can proceed. The water also flowed over the raspberries, but they were not affected. Last year, the lasting drought and heat also had consequences. I will not immediately say global warming is to blame, but it is remarkable that we are getting more and more weather extremes. I believe that growers of fruit and vegetables will only face more difficulties in the coming decades. If not for us, then for future generations."
For more information:
Guy Beeckmans
Kleemstraat 50
1760 Roosdaal
Belgium
+32(0)477 235 798