Drought leads to lower production of melons and watermelons in Spain

According to a recent report by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the area dedicated to the production of melons and watermelons in Spain continued to decrease in 2023 due to the limited availability of water resources. , which influenced planting decisions in the productive areas of the south and east of the country. Consequently, a significant drop in production is expected nationally, although official figures and assessment of weather damage in May and June are still awaited. However, the reduction in the area devoted to these crops has been a constant trend for several seasons. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture in Spain indicates that in 2022 the cultivated area was 16,211 hectares, a decrease of 15.8% compared to 2021 and 16.1% compared to the average. of the last five campaigns. All producing regions recorded a double-digit drop, with Andalusia being the most affected with a 25.1% decrease in cultivated area in 2021. Due to the unfavorable ...