Hail damages 1,500 hectares of persimmons and citrus trees, despite beneficial rains in Valencia, Spain

The recent rains in Valencia have brought benefits for agriculture and livestock, helping to recharge reservoirs and aquifers, revitalising pastures and improving the calibre of seasonal produce. However, the Valencian Farmers' Association (AVA-ASAJA) has reported that, unfortunately, these rains were accompanied by heavy hail that caused damage to approximately 1,500 hectares of crops, affecting mainly persimmons and citrus fruits at the start of the harvesting campaign. The municipalities of Picassent and Benifaió were the most affected by the storm, where the hail fell discontinuously along a strip of eight kilometres. Other nearby areas, such as Picanya and Torrent, also reported isolated damage, while in Castellón, the impact was minimal. The persimmons have suffered the most damage, given that their skin is very sensitive and many of the fruits were in an advanced state of ripeness, ready to be harvested shortly. According to AVA-ASAJA, losses in persimmon crops could range ...