Spain expected to produce the lowest volume of fruit in 40 years

Spain expected to produce the lowest volume of fruit in 40 years

Spain is expected to produce its lowest volume of fruit in the last 40 years due to frost that hit its fruit-production regions in early April, especially the Ebro Valley – one of the most important producing areas of sweet fruit in Europe.

Severe hailstorm decimates apricot crop in Spain

Severe hailstorm decimates apricot crop in Spain

A severe hailstorm struck Murcia, Spain on May 2, 2022, causing major damage to the apricot crop. The Region of Murcia is located in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula and produces two-thirds of Spain’s apricot. The storm comes one month after early April frost caused massive damage to stone fruit in Ebro valley, one of the most important producing areas of sweet fruit in Europe.

European cold wave aftermath- Spanish fruit producers severely affected, France spared the worst

European cold wave aftermath- Spanish fruit producers severely affected, France spared the worst

The cold wave that hit parts of Europe earlier this month seems to have spared the French producers of peaches and apricots, who were severely affected last year. However, it severely affected other European regions, especially the north of Spain where losses are currently estimated at more than 50 million Euro, on top of 11 million caused by persistent rains.

South Africa experiencing the biggest locust infestation in decades

South Africa experiencing the biggest locust infestation in decades

The exceptionally wet rainy season in South Africa allowed rapid breeding of brown locusts and led to the biggest infestation the country has seen in decades. In December 2021, many parts of the country experienced the heaviest rains since records began in 1921.

Record-breaking cold hits Europe, causing widespread damage to agriculture

Record-breaking cold hits Europe, causing widespread damage to agriculture

Unseasonably cold weather hit parts of Europe over the past weekend, following warmer-than-normal temperatures in previous weeks that caused rapid greening of flora. Damage to agriculture is widespread but it seems it’s not as bad as it was last year when a similar cold episode happened. The worst affected countries were France, Germany, Spain and Austria.

Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide across the SW Pacific and Australia

Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide across the SW Pacific and Australia

Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are present across the SW Pacific and Australia after the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano on January 15, 2022. Since the eruption, the volcano has been releasing huge amounts of sulfur dioxide and…