Catalan Fruit Sector Faces 8% Harvest Loss Following Severe Hailstorm

A recent hailstorm in the Spanish province of Lleida has dealt a significant blow to Catalonia’s fruit harvest, with initial estimates suggesting a loss of approximately 8 per cent of the region’s total production. The Catalan fruit growers’ association Afrucat reported that the damage translates to a reduction of around 75,000 tonnes across various types of fruit.

According to Afrucat’s analysis, the most severely affected crop is apricots, with losses estimated at around 13 per cent, or roughly 2,000 tonnes. Pears have also been hit hard, down 12 to 15 per cent—equating to about 20,500 tonnes. Peaches and nectarines are projected to fall by 6 to 8 per cent (39,000 tonnes), while apple production is down 3 to 5 per cent (12,000 tonnes). Plums suffered a smaller loss of 2 per cent (150 tonnes), and cherries were least affected, down just 0.2 per cent or 20 tonnes.

Manel Simon, CEO of Afrucat, emphasized that despite the damage, Catalonia will still be able to meet market demand. “We have assessed the damage caused by the hailstorm with our member companies, and we can assure you there will be enough fruit for our markets,” he said. However, he acknowledged that the impact varies greatly by location, with some farms experiencing total crop loss.

Simon highlighted the urgency of supporting the worst-affected growers and said the association is actively collaborating with the Department of Agriculture to ensure these producers receive necessary financial aid to sustain operations.

Afrucat is also working with the Ministry of Agriculture to evaluate both short- and long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of extreme weather. Among the solutions being considered is increased investment in protective infrastructure, such as hail nets.

“We have had several conversations with Minister Ordeig about adopting measures similar to those used in countries like Hungary,” Simon said, noting that in Hungary, the government covers up to 60 per cent of the cost of installing protective nets.

The hailstorm’s aftermath underscores the growing vulnerability of agriculture to increasingly frequent and severe weather events, and the need for both immediate relief and structural investment in climate resilience.