In the Pyrénées-Orientales, winegrowers must deal with drought

It was one of the main rivers in the department, but for more than two years, the sky has not watered the Pyrénées-Orientales enough. It flowed near Rivesaltes (Pyrénées-Orientales). Vincent Connes is a passionate winegrower. For nothing in the world would he leave the vines in which he grew up, but the vines are becoming exhausted. One of the plots is, by his own admission, in a deplorable state. “That’s not worth anything anymore”he concedes.

With the drought, intensified by global warming caused by human activities, yields have collapsed by 40% and its income with it. “I never understood why people committed suicide over their work. This is the first year I think I can understand.”he admits. He now fears he will not be able to pay his bills. He now plans to adapt to the new climate, by planting berries, pistachio trees and olive trees.