Important Update: Severe Weather in Spain Disrupts Supply & Transport

The recent extreme weather in Spain has caused widespread damage, with thousands of hectares of fruit and vegetable crops destroyed, leading to major disruptions in both supply and transport. As the Spanish season is now in full swing, the combination of hailstorms and severe flooding has impacted the start of the season.

As you may have seen in the news, the catastrophic weather conditions across Valencia and surrounding areas have not only wiped out farms but also caused the collapse of the A-7 motorway, further complicating distribution across the country.

What’s Happening:

Heavy rainfall, hail and flash floods have wreaked havoc on key crops and infrastructure:

Agricultural Impact:

The recent floods in Spain have significantly impacted both protected greenhouse crops and open-field crops. Growers are struggling to access their fields, making it difficult to harvest and assess the long-term damage. Widespread flooding has also affected packhouses, causing end-to-end disruption across the entire supply chain.

Traffic Disruptions:

The collapse of the A-7 Mediterranean Motorway, a critical route for produce transport, has forced the Ministry of Transport to impose heavy vehicle restrictions. Nighttime-only access is now in place for rerouted vehicles on alternative roads to manage congestion and prioritise emergency and supply transport.

Expected Supply Impacts:

• Citrus ??: Easy peelers hardest hit due to unprecedented circumstances in Valencia.
• Lettuce ??: Little Gem, Iceberg, and speciality varieties are also impacted.
• Brassicas ??: Currently stable, but shortages and price increases may follow soon.
• Tomatoes ??: Affected to a lesser extent but may face supply inconsistencies.
• Future Quality Concerns: While peppers, aubergines, and cucumbers are not currently impacted, there may be future quality issues due to the effects of heavy rainfall.

We are actively working with our Nationwide Espana team to navigate these challenges, and we’ll keep you informed of any updates to minimise the impact on your orders.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.