Stormy weather in Spain boosts water reservoir levels, but damages crops in Valencia

The stormy and rainy weather seen in Spain during the past week boosted water reservoir levels across the country, which is typically a positive indication for agriculture. However, recent hailstorms brought on by storm DANA resulted in damages to some agricultural crops, especially in the Valencia region.

The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) issued updates Sept. 10 on the country’s water reservoir levels, which have increased 33% year on year to 27,605 cubic hectometers (hm³) of water as of last week.

This represents 49.3% of Spain's total water reserve capacity, according to the same ministry, which also stated that “the rainfall last week has had a significant impact on the entire peninsula. The highest rainfall was in San Sebastián, Donostia with 115.7 l/m²."

Water reservoir levels in the Atlantic region were reported to have increased by 36% year on year as of the first week of September to 21,424 cubic hectometers, while levels in the Mediterranean region increased by 23% year on year to 6,181 cubic hectometers during the same reporting period.

However, some regions in the country were subject to hailstorms on the first week of September as storm DANA moved across Spain’s eastern and southeastern areas. According to market updates released by La Unio (Farmers and Ranchers Union in the Valencia region) late last week, these hailstorms damaged “more than 4,800 hectares of crops” in the Utiel-Requena municipality in the Valencia region with losses estimated to be “greater than Eur 3.4 million.” The neighboring Vall d'Albaida municipality in Valencia, also suffered crop damages, according to the same source, with around 6,000 and 8,000 hectares impacted. La Unio also stated that “the most affected crop was persimmon, with damage of around 4 million kg and losses of Eur 1 million, along with citrus, with around 2 million kg affected and losses of Eur 400,000. Damage is also observed in vineyards, olive trees and almond trees, but with low production and a less significant value than the two previous ones”.

It is unclear at time of writing if the financial damages incurred will impact the Valencian farmers’ decision to invest in fertilizers for their crops in the upcoming season. However, La Unio clarified in its market update that “hail is considered a meteorological risk covered by the current agricultural insurance system" from which they will request quick assessment of damages to the affected plots. The entity also stated that it will seek additional help for the affected farmers, including direct aid.