As reported by Agroseguro, compensations to insured agricultural producers during the first half of 2020 have increased by 12.62% compared to the same period of 2019 and amounted to 373.19 million Euro. The total acreage affected totals 528,287 hectares.
In January, storm Gloria caused serious damage throughout the Mediterranean coast, mostly to citrus and vegetable productions, as well as greenhouse infrastructure. Wind storms took a toll on bananas in the Canary Islands and in spring, many farms were hit by hail.
So far, the fruit sector accounts for most of the compensations, with over 113 million Euro. Of these, more than 77 correspond to damage caused by hail storms. Peaches and apricots are the crops that have suffered the most from the consequences of the climate.
Vegetables rank second, with compensations exceeding 52 million Euro. More than 75% of these are due to heavy rainfall. Garlic is one of the most affected crops and their growers have received more than 30 million Euro in compensations.
Meanwhile, compensations for damage to citrus fruits have exceeded 25 million Euro.
Five autonomous regions account for more than 60% of the compensations: the Region of Valencia (especially due to storm Gloria), Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, the Region of Murcia and Aragon. The latter will receive over 40 million Euro and the others almost 50 million Euro each.
Source: agrodiario.com
