Wind gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour recorded on May 14 and 15 in Camp de Tarragona have caused damage to dry-farming agricultural holdings in Alt Camp, Baix Camp, and Tarragonès. The fall of leaves, branches, and buds has particularly affected carob trees, hazelnut trees, and almond trees.
The extent of the losses contrasts with the origin of the episode, concentrated in two days of wind. Unió de Pagesos calculates that production will fall by 40% in carob trees, 30% in hazelnut trees, and 20% in affected almond trees.
The wind caused losses of 40% in carob trees and 30% in hazelnut trees
The agricultural organization places the greatest impact on carob trees, with damage concentrated mainly in La Masó, in the Alt Camp region. In these farms, the wind felled part of the productive trees at a key moment for the season.
Hazelnut trees in La Selva del Camp, Vilallonga del Camp, Alcover, and Valls have also suffered damage. In this crop, Unió de Pagesos estimates a 30% loss in production following the fall of leaves and buds caused by the storm.
Almond trees are among the damaged crops, with an estimated decrease of 20%. The agricultural union groups the effects in dry-farming holdings spread across Alt Camp, Baix Camp, and Tarragonès.
Unió de Pagesos asks the Departament d'Agricultura for a quick assessment
After quantifying the initial consequences of the episode, the organization has requested the Departament d'Agricultura for a rapid assessment of the damages. The objective is for this assessment to allow for the articulation of compensation measures for the affected farmers.
In the balance presented by the union, the highest losses correspond to carob trees, with 40%, while hazelnut and almond trees are behind with decreases of 30% and 20%.
Unió de Pagesos' request focuses on specific municipalities in Camp de Tarragona where the wind hit dry-farming holdings the hardest, especially La Masó in the case of carob trees, and La Selva del Camp, Vilallonga del Camp, Alcover, and Valls in the case of hazelnut trees.
Unió de Pagesos has requested the Departament d'Agricultura for a quick assessment of the damages in order to articulate compensation measures for the farmers.