Storm Filomena hits Spanish agriculture

Storm Filomena has brought record low temperatures, covering much of the country with heavy snow and leaving at least four people dead. It was the worst winter storm to hit Spain in several decades.

Most affected regions

The regions most affected are Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, La Rioja, Aragón, Murcia and parts of Valencia and Andalucía.

Among the negative consequences, those suffered by extensive livestock farming due to animal deaths and delays in the fattening process stand out. The damage to the olive groves is also significant, and more specifically to the olives that were not harvested, which will lead to a drop in production.  In fruit and vegetables there have been crop losses and longer ripening periods, which have already reduced the supply of this produce on the market.

Damage to infrastructures, warehouses, greenhouses, irrigation systems and machinery due to the heavy frosts and low temperatures is also substantial.

Madrid Region

Its losses could be as high as €21 million in a first estimate on 14 January. This figure is likely to increase as the snow and ice disappear and the actual extent of the damage is ascertained. Olive groves are the most affected crop in the region (€12 million of losses) due to the loss of much of the olive buried under the snow; only 30% of the crop had been harvested. To this must be added the fall of trees and the breakage of branches, which will have a negative impact on the coming seasons.

In terms of livestock farming there are many carcasses and other losses and farmers still have difficulty in getting food and water to the animals. There are also losses in vegetables grown outdoors, such as cabbages or artichokes, and in some greenhouses that have collapsed under the weight of snow.

Castilla-La Mancha

The olive grove is also the most damaged crop, particularly in the province of Toledo, due to the loss of olives and the breakage of trees. Livestock farmers in the region will have to face higher costs due to the loss of pasture. Losses due to the collapse of premises, which have caused damage to machines stored in them, as well as the death of animals in stables, are also noteworthy.

Castilla y León

Livestock farmers are the ones who withstood the worst of this. Farmers’ organizations have pointed out problems in the collection of milk, among others. Among the crops, late rape plots and fruit trees could be damaged. However, organizations point out that Filomena storm is good news for mountain pastures, reservoirs and irrigation.

Aragón

There is considerable damage to olive groves and vegetable grown in greenhouses in the province of Zaragoza. As in other affected regions, farmers have difficulties in accessing their farms and feeding their animals. Beekeepers estimate significant losses in the hives, which will lead to a reduction in the next honey harvest. There are also concerns about how the cold will affect crops not used to it, such as persimmons, pomegranates and cherries.

Murcia

Frost losses could be around 8.4 million euros, with artichokes being the most affected crop. Lettuce, lemons and olive groves follow it.

Other damaged regions

In Andalucía, the eastern part of the region has been most affected and the intense cold has led to a drop in vegetable yields. In the Valencian province of Alicante, losses in artichokes are noteworthy and it is estimated that 80% of the olive trees in Cataluña could be damaged.

The snow guarantees irrigation

On the positive side, the increase in water reserves in the form of snow stands out, largely guaranteeing the next irrigation campaigns in most of the country.

In this sense, the National Irrigators Association has assured that the snow left by storm Filomena can guarantee irrigation in the 2021 campaign in a number of hydrographic basins. They will also allow the recharge of some aquifers.

The consequences of Filomena have also been positive for the vineyard. According to the Interbranch Organization of Wine, an important water reserve is being generated, especially relevant in Castilla-La Mancha, the region with the largest area of vineyards, which suffers from drought.

It also confirms that the snowfall has not affected this crop as it is in a vegetative stop. In addition, the snow contributes to "preserve a good sanitary status of the vine" since the low temperatures have a "pest control effect, especially of mites".

A prolongation of the strong frosts of these days could damage the plant, although the real damage will not be seen until May, when the buds of the vines will sprout again.

Financial Aid

The National Government has announced economic aid to alleviate the damage caused in several regions, although it has not provided further details.

The President of the Region of Madrid announced the granting of €16 million in aid to the agricultural sector for the rehabilitation of agricultural machinery, the purchase of insurance or the application to the national government for tax deductions.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has estimated between 60 and 80 million euros the damage caused by the storm according to the data recorded so far by Agroseguro.

Notice from SEO/Birdlife

The organization warned that the birds "were experiencing a critical moment" due to the difficulty in obtaining food and shelter after the intense snowfall and cold wave.

In these circumstances, it encouraged citizens to put feeders in their windows or terraces at a time when the most natural food for birds was scarce.