The prevailing drought in Southern Europe, especially in Spain, France and Portugal is worrying both farmers and the public. Not only are crops drying up, but drinking water is also scarce.
According to a report by the Spanish farmers’ association COAG, four regions will suffer very heavy crop losses this year, while the olive harvest may even be lost.
Spain, the world’s largest producer of olive oil, was hit by the unusual heat (38.8 °C) just as the olive trees were flowering, at the end of April.
“If there are no flowers, there is no fruit. If there is no fruit, there is no oil,” Rafael Pico, director of Asoliva, the Spanish association of olive oil producers and exporters, told the media.
In the southern region of Andalusia, where most of the olives are grown, there has been little rain since January.
This is particularly worrying for olive growers, who have seen their olive oil production more than halve by 55% in the 2021-2022 season due to the lack of rain and the extremely high temperatures. So this year, most farms could collapse.
Across Catalonia, reservoirs had only about 27% water in April. Here, a mandatory restriction to reduce agricultural water use by 40% has recently been introduced.
Illegal usage
So the Spaniards are forced to commit a crime – 26 farmers were arrested for illegal use of water in Malaga.
The police found that 250 out of 299 water sources were illegal. Avocados and mangoes were the crops most illegally irrigated.
These fruits require a lot of water, but the area is often subject to severe droughts. Therefore, water could be used illegally for many years. It is estimated that the total damage caused to public water resources is 10 million. euros.
No tap water
In France, several villages are unable to provide tap water to their inhabitants due to water shortages. The country has had more than 30 consecutive days of rain in January and February, making it the driest winter in 60 years. At least for now, the situation is not encouraging either.
In the eastern Pyrenees, bordering Catalonia in Spain, a crisis level of drought has been declared since yesterday. At the same time, bans on watering gardens and green areas, using beach showers, filling swimming pools and washing cars have come into force. The only exception is if the water comes from a reuse system. Fruit growers face particular difficulties as they also have to adapt to water restrictions.
While France had a relatively wet March, giving farmers at least some respite by moistening the soil, groundwater levels remain dangerously low, especially around the Mediterranean.
Source: Manoukis
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