Spain: in Andalusia, avocado production hit by drought

Near Malaga, Andalucia (Spain)the least available space is occupied by avocado trees. In the valley of the CerqueiraFrancisco Pineda and his son own three hectares of avocados. Because of the drought, they lost 80% of their harvest this year. “Because of the lack of water, the caliber is really small”regrets the producer. Fruits that are too small and trees that suffer. “This is the first time I’ve seen this in 40 years. If it’s not raining not, […] this tree is going to die”certifies the farmer. It hasn’t rained for several months, the river next to his farm and his well are dried up.

An economy under threat

A worsening lack of water that threatens an entire economy built around avocados. To irrigate their avocado trees, almost all of them depend on a water reserve, located a few kilometers upstream. There Vinuela is the main source of drinking water in the region, but it is almost dry. According Raphael yusa specialist, the avocado is too greedy in water and depletes the resources. Faced with climate change and to supply farmers, basins store recycled water. In the meantime, to make up for the lack of water, some producers are cutting down the trees, hoping that they will come back in the fall.