Heat Wave Damages Portugal’s 2022 Pear Crop

The high temperatures recorded in Portugal in recent weeks, together with the drought observed in the country for the past 8 months, have caused sharp drops in fruit production volumes, mainly in the western region of the country and especially in the Rocha pear orchards. Producers are concerned about the weather, hoping for rainy days and milder temperatures. Losses are estimated to be between 30 to 40%, with some producers confirming that they have already lost more than 50% of their production. However, the true extent of the production losses will only be known in August. The high temperatures combined with drought have resulted in dry orchards and spoiled and burnt fruit. During extreme temperatures, the tree undergoes water stress, and therefore the fruit does not grow. In addition severe sun exposure reduces the commercial value of the fruit, with a considerable portion of the harvest only sought for industrial usage such as canning and juicing.