Strong and persistent wind gusts recorded over recent weeks — reaching up to 170 km/h this weekend — have caused serious damage to agriculture in eastern Spain. According to estimates from the Valencian Farmers’ Association (AVA-ASAJA), wind-related losses exceed €30 million in the agricultural sector of Valencia and Castellón provinces, mainly due to fruit drop, branch damage (“rameado”) and structural damage to farm infrastructure.
The most affected crops are citrus fruits and, to a lesser extent, avocados. In many mandarin orchards (hybrid varieties such as Nadorcott, Tango, Orri and Spring Sunshine) and orange groves (late Navels, Sanguinelli and Valencia), damage levels exceed 50% due to fruit falling to the ground and branch-related skin damage. Although such marks do not affect organoleptic quality, they significantly reduce commercial value. The price difference for growers between fruit destined for the fresh market and fruit diverted to processing can reach approximately €0.20/kg less — nearly half the value in some cases.
Avocado
In avocados, damage from fruit drop and branch impact has mainly affected the Lamb Hass variety, as the earlier Hass crop has already been largely harvested in the Valencian Community due to strong market demand. This demand has been further supported by temporary disruptions in avocado harvesting and marketing in Andalusia and Morocco following recent heavy rainfall.
The reduction in available volumes due to adverse weather is contributing to rising farm-gate prices, which in some cases are already exceeding €2.5/kg.
AVA-ASAJA has also identified substantial wind-related damage, including broken branches and trunks, uprooted trees (particularly young plantings), graft losses, damage to greenhouses and other agricultural facilities.
Growers are particularly concerned about the dry westerly winds, which may impact seasonal vegetables and upcoming flowering in woody crops. If early budbreak occurs and colder temperatures return later, frost damage to tender shoots could follow.
Given the severity of the damage, AVA-ASAJA is urging Agroseguro, Spain’s agricultural insurance system, to expedite wind damage assessments so affected producers can receive compensation swiftly. The organisation is also calling on public authorities to implement direct aid and fiscal support measures, as well as improvements to crop insurance schemes to include wind and other climatic risks under more affordable policies.
Additionally, amid concerns that fallen oranges may be stolen and sold on the informal market (particularly for juice peeling or small local retailers), AVA-ASAJA is urging authorities to strengthen inspections at collection points and require full traceability documentation.
Almería
In Almería, strong wind gusts since Saturday — reaching speeds of up to 140 km/h — have caused severe damage to greenhouses across the province. According to preliminary assessments confirmed with the Regional Agriculture Delegation and the El Ejido City Council, the affected area could exceed 200 hectares.
Of this, around 150 hectares have suffered complete loss of plastic coverings, leaving crops — mainly peppers — exposed to wind for hours, resulting in significant production losses in crops that were mid-cycle. An additional 50 hectares have sustained structural damage of varying severity.
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This new weather event represents further economic losses for a sector already facing a difficult campaign, with high pest pressure from Thrips parvispinus, spider mites and aphids, which have caused both crop losses and reduced yields.
The storm has also affected companies within the auxiliary agricultural industry, particularly nurseries. Facilities such as Confimaplant, one of the impacted nurseries, are working to minimise damage and ensure continuity of service for the upcoming spring planting season.
COAG: “Another blow for agriculture”
The provincial secretary of COAG Almería, Andrés Góngora, visited the hardest-hit areas in northern El Ejido. He confirmed that sustained gusts and wind vortices tore off greenhouse covers and ventilation windows, leaving crops exposed and causing irreversible losses during the peak production period.
“We are facing another blow for agriculture,” said Góngora. “Both older and recently built greenhouses have been destroyed. In many cases, farmers will have to start from scratch and undertake full reconstruction.”
COAG Almería has urged the Andalusian regional government and the Agriculture Delegation to accelerate technical damage assessments and activate two urgent measures: immediate direct emergency aid to restore productive capacity and prevent farm abandonment, and a medium-term modernisation plan under the upcoming budget framework to reinforce older greenhouse structures that have proven particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
COAG is also calling on all affected farmers and livestock producers to report damage as soon as possible through official channels. Accurate data collection is essential to expedite aid distribution and ensure continuity of agricultural activity.
