“There was no major damage, but we need to remain vigilant about moisture-related diseases.”

July began with heavy rains in Valencia, Spain. Up to 71.2 liters per square meter fell in Sagunto, a city that, according to the Aemet weather service, saw almost as much rain in one hour as was collected between October and May combined.

“According to our initial assessments, the rains have not had a very negative impact on our citrus fields. In fact, the water will be very good for them, since we have been experiencing quite a lot of stress due to the lack of rain,” says Pedro Leal of Naranjas Ché. “However, we must remain vigilant regarding diseases or pests caused by excess moisture.”

The rainfall was very heavy and, as explained by the national meteorological agency, in Sagunto, 75% of all the water that fell between the night and the morning of the first day of July fell in just one hour.

“By 2pm it was sunny and 28 degrees, and the water had been absorbed by the fields, but the relative humidity must have been close to 100%. The heat and high humidity are ideal habitats for fungi, so we’ll be monitoring developments over the next few days.”

It is certain that the rain was necessary and will be beneficial to the soil, as well as allowing the region to recover its water reserves after months of insufficient rainfall and too mild temperatures, says Pedro. “After a fairly warm winter, we have seen a rather irregular citrus flowering. And after a few cold days in March, we have seen a shortage of fruit in plots that had a greater abundance of flowers, compared to the initial flowering.”

“In any case, this situation is not unique to citrus. Flowering has also been quite irregular for avocados, a crop that has grown a lot in recent years in the Valencian Community. Everyone attributes this to climatic causes, the influence of which is becoming increasingly noticeable.”

For more information:
Oranges Ché
Cm. Montiver S/N, Parc. Polygon 31. 335
46500 Sagunto, Valencia. Spain
Logistics warehouse:
Ciscar Street, 53 – 55
46529 Canet d’en Berenguer, Valencia. Spain
Phone: 96 317 23 44
(email protected)
www.naranjasche.com