The province of Almeria experienced a day yesterday marked by an intense weather episode due to the passage of the deep storm Kristin, which left significant rainfall accumulations and wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h in inland areas, according to official records from AEMET and regional meteorological networks.
The combination of rainfall and strong winds forced the authorities to maintain extreme risk warnings across large areas and has caused widespread impacts on infrastructure and agricultural activity, especially in the greenhouse zones of the Poniente and El Ejido areas.
© COAG
The rainfall, with more than 45 mm accumulated at several weather stations in El Ejido and surrounding areas, caused flooding in low lying areas and the overflow of ramblas, which made harvesting work difficult. However, as confirmed from within the province, today, despite the continued strong winds, most of the agricultural sector in Almeria is harvesting vegetables as normal.
"Fortunately, although there have been flooded greenhouses and the wind has damaged some structures, we cannot speak of a critical or serious situation," stated this morning by COAG Almeria, while they were preparing for the mobilizations called today across much of the national territory to show rejection of the trade agreements with Morocco and Mercosur.
This episode of rain and wind adds to a difficult winter for farmers in the province, where, as indicated by the agricultural organization, accumulated rainfall "has exceeded 100 mm in recent weeks, increasing soil moisture and favoring conditions that may lead to phytosanitary problems".
"These months have not been characterized by a large volume of production, but we can say that today harvesting has already resumed and neither will the service be interrupted nor will the storm cause a smaller volume to be harvested."
"Bad weather has caused a reduction and even the suspension of ship traffic between Spain and Morocco in recent days"
This is confirmed by cooperatives in the El Ejido area, such as Agrupa2, which yesterday experienced a day of uncertainty due to flooding in low lying areas and ramblas overflowing their channels. "It was a day of waiting for nothing serious to happen, and fortunately there were only some breaks in greenhouses, without being serious, and in panels and sheets of agricultural warehouses."
From the cooperative they highlight that, after yesterday's stoppage, the vast majority of member farmers have already resumed work.
© Valeriya Zeleneva | Dreamstime
As for the market, this winter prices of vegetables from Almeria greenhouses are showing an upward trend. "This is not only due to a lower supply of produce; the bad weather has caused a reduction and even the suspension of ship traffic between Spain and Morocco in recent days, and this appears to be intensifying demand for Spanish products."
The evolution of atmospheric conditions in the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the points on the planet with the highest maritime traffic and a key connection between Europe and Africa, will be closely monitored by importers across the continent. "In the meantime, everything suggests that these price levels will continue."
