Last Thursday’s storms and hail have left an initial €14.3 million bill across farmland in Ribera Alta and Ribera Baixa. La Unió Llauradora estimates that 6,584 hectares were affected, but says inspections are continuing and both the area and financial loss may rise.
Persimmons account for most of the economic impact. The farming organisation puts their losses at €11.49 million across 2,872 hectares. Citrus covers a further 3,712 hectares and €2.85 million. Damage has also been found in vegetable crops, greenhouses, rural tracks, irrigation equipment and fencing.
The estimate follows a day of very high temperatures, westerly wind and an abrupt change in weather. AEMET’s daily observations show the heat episode and the gusts that accompanied storms across parts of Valencia province. On farms, the consequences go beyond fruit lying on the ground: branches have broken, trees have lost leaves and fruit still hanging may no longer meet commercial standards.
Persimmons were hit with the crop already formed
The timing helps explain the size of the persimmon loss. Fruit is already at an advanced stage and hail marks can make it unsaleable even where it remains on the tree. Leaf loss and damaged wood create another concern, as some orchards could carry effects into future seasons.
La Unió attributes about 80% of the losses calculated so far to persimmons. Hail has opened wounds in citrus peel, while wind has brought down fruit and damaged branches. Inspectors still need to determine how much produce can reach the market and at what grade, which will shape the final figure.
The episode comes during an unusually stormy August across Spain. By the middle of the month, Agroseguro had received claims covering more than 22,300 insured hectares affected by hail. Including wind and rain, the reported area reached 24,400 hectares. The Valencian Community was already listed among the affected regions before this latest La Ribera assessment was added.
Wind cover creates a second dispute
The issue is not confined to the size of the losses. La Unió says some farmers with active insurance policies have found that wind damage was not yet covered on their farms. It wants the start of that protection brought forward to 1 August and is asking the Valencian agriculture department to compensate policyholders caught in the gap.
The organisation has also called on Agroseguro to open claims and carry out assessments quickly. Those visits will distinguish immediately visible losses from damage that develops over the coming days and establish what can be compensated. For now, €14.3 million is a field estimate rather than a final account.
The next significant figure will come from the full inspection of farms and infrastructure. After that, attention will turn to whether the authorities approve exceptional support and how the request over wind coverage is answered. Until then, both the area and cost remain provisional.
Sources: La Unió’s initial assessment reported by Europa Press; Agroseguro’s national storm-loss report; and AEMET’s daily observations for the Valencian Community.