Concern in the vegetable sector due to high temperatures
The high temperatures that have been happening in recent weeks, not only in Spain, but throughout Europe, are causing losses in the production of vegetables for IV Range, creating tensions in the markets.
The prolonged high temperatures over time that are occurring throughout Europe and with special intensity in the Iberian Peninsula, since the last week of June, are worryingly affecting the vegetables for IV Range, since the excess heat is causing a lower availability of raw materials and tensions in the supply, according to the prepared fruit and vegetable sector or IV Range integrated in FEPEX.
Heat waves, with forecasts to continue in the coming weeks, together with intense storms, accompanied by hail on some occasions, in different production areas are damaging plant raw materials, especially leafy vegetables: lettuce, tender shoots and vegetables.
The effect of high temperatures for prolonged times causes stress on the structure and tissues of plants that manifests in different ways and is latent in the subsequent development of plants. The impacts they cause are increased fragility and the appearance of physiological damage, as crops become more vulnerable. Likewise, the useful life of vegetables, both raw material and processed in the fourth range, is affected for this same reason, resulting in products with deterioration and a reduction in volume.
FEPEX considers that Spain is the most reliable supplier of the European market even in abnormal situations caused by the weather, but there is a strong concern in the IV Range sector, since the effect of high temperatures can be immediate but, it can also cause latent damage, which manifests itself in subsequent weeks, in all cases lowering crop yields considerably, and causing a strain on the supply due to the lower availability of raw materials.
