Spain: Rice production in Catalonia returns to normal after two difficult campaigns

The 2024/2025 campaign is expected to mark a recovery in rice production, after two difficult years that left historically low figures due to water restrictions and other adverse factors. According to the FCAC, this season could approach normal levels, thanks to better water and climate conditions. In 2023, drought led to the lowest campaign in the last two decades, with only 108,827 tons of rice harvested, according to provisional data from the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARPA). In 2022, although production was also low, it did not reach such extreme levels. For this year, conditions have improved, and 85% of the Bomba variety of rice has already been harvested, which has lower yields and is particularly vulnerable to the Pyricularia fungus. Now, the harvesting of the rest of the varieties begins, with JSendra being the most predominant in Catalonia. Although problems persist in weed management and some areas have suffered damage from the ...