Algarve Orange Production Faces Up to 40% Losses Amidst Extreme Weather Events

Portugal - Ekhbary News Agency

Algarve Orange Production Faces Up to 40% Losses Amidst Extreme Weather Events

Portugal's Algarve region, celebrated for its high-quality citrus fruits, is currently grappling with substantial losses in orange production, with estimates ranging from 25% to a staggering 40% of the total yield. This dire situation is a direct result of the severe and prolonged adverse weather conditions that have recently swept across Portugal. The AlgarOrange – Association of Algarve Citrus Operators – has issued a stark warning about the devastating impact of the bad weather, which has not only directly damaged the fruit but also imposed unprecedented operational challenges on producers and the entire supply chain.

Following years of persistent drought that severely tested the resilience of Algarve farmers, the abrupt transition to intense rainfall, coupled with extreme phenomena such as strong winds, heavy downpours, and hail, has proven to be a crushing blow to the citrus sector. While the much-needed precipitation was crucial in replenishing water levels in dams, the sheer intensity and prolonged nature of the inclement weather have inflicted extensive damage across fields and harvests. These consequences are expected to reverberate throughout the regional economy and potentially lead to increased consumer prices.

AlgarOrange, after conducting a thorough consultation with regional producers and operators, has identified 'accentuated' losses. The association's board emphasizes that, 'generally speaking, losses are around 25%, with some varieties experiencing damages that could escalate to 40%.' This grim outlook is attributed to the sustained adverse meteorological conditions, characterized by high humidity levels that fostered the development of rot and premature fruit drop. A significant portion of the fruit, even that still clinging to the trees, is already rotten, anticipating a continued decline in quality and quantity over the coming weeks, further compromising the final harvest.

Beyond the direct damage to the fruit itself, numerous orchards have been hit by 'extreme phenomena of wind, rain, and hail,' causing structural damage to trees and exacerbating the overall predicament. The association acknowledges that this scenario will inevitably lead to 'some price increases at the production level,' a cost that could ultimately be passed on to the end consumer, at a time already challenging for the broader economy.

The hurdles faced by producers extend beyond just production losses. Harvesting costs have experienced a 'substantial increase' due to 'truly difficult' working conditions. Harvesting teams are compelled to work in intense cold and rain to try and supply the market. In many orchards, water-saturated soil renders tractors unusable, as they sink into the mud, forcing fruits to be picked exclusively by hand. This manual process is significantly slower, more expensive, and physically exhausting. Such a situation not only inflates operational costs but also delays the harvest, thereby increasing the risk of further losses.

In light of this challenging outlook, AlgarOrange has issued an urgent appeal to affected producers to formally report their damages. These notifications should be directed to the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of the Algarve (CCDR Algarve), with a copy sent to FEDAGRI – the Algarve Agriculture Federation. The objective is clear: 'This is the procedure to follow to pressure the Government to open a support notice,' the association stresses, underscoring the critical need for swift and effective aid measures to mitigate the economic impact on citrus growers.

The crisis gripping the Algarve's citrus sector is part of a broader climate disruption that has impacted Portugal. The depressions Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta unleashed a series of devastations nationwide, resulting in sixteen fatalities, hundreds injured, and numerous displaced individuals. The sixteenth victim, a 72-year-old man, passed away in February following a fall in January while attempting to repair a damaged roof in the municipality of Pombal, illustrating the severe human and material consequences of the storms.

Total or partial destruction of homes, businesses, and equipment, the felling of trees and structures, the closure of roads, schools, and transport services, as well as power, water, and communication outages, floods, and flash floods, were among the main material consequences recorded. The Central, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, and Alentejo regions were the most severely affected, but the impact extended across the national territory, including the Algarve.

In response to the calamity, the Portuguese Government extended the state of calamity for 68 municipalities and announced a support package that could amount to 2.5 billion euros. The effectiveness and speed of distributing this aid will be crucial for the recovery of the most affected sectors, including the vital citrus production in the Algarve, which now struggles to overcome yet another challenge posed by climate change.

Ekhbary News Agency