What has happened in Alicante’s agriculture this year is unprecedented. Most crops faced the severe weather conditions linked to a strongly changing climate, and almonds were not spared. Even with rains and frosts, the season saw almonds fold into curl and overall production fall sharply due to tree feeding pests. The result was losses around 10 million euros, as pests and weather took their toll on yields. The impacts also include Xylella, wasp, and tiger beetle, with the Vall d’Ebo fire adding damage to plantations in a lesser but real way.
Xylella has been a long-running concern since it first appeared in the province in 2017, and there is no effective cure yet. The eradication measures involved removing more than 2,000 hectares of crops and 140,000 almond trees, which has driven down production to about 560 tons. The Ministry of Agriculture notes that actions are taken at the request of the European Union and that the area affected has been reduced by half due to coordinated efforts. Yet those hit by the outbreak argue that the plan should focus on destroying only the infected trees, not those around them, in order to minimize collateral losses. Source: Ministerio de Agricultura.
Beyond Xylella, wasps and tiger beetles have left a strong mark on the harvest this season. The high temperatures and the drought have worsened the situation and threatened tree survival, according to Juan Pastor, a grower from the Vinalopó region. Source: Asociación de Agricultores de Alicante.
The problem is compounded by rising costs for phytosanitary products and the low market price for almonds. Mariola Carreño, a technician at La Trencadora in Castalla, explains that the tiger is manageable with timely action, but the wasp resists more and requires precise timing for treatments. When costs rise and prices fail to cover them, many farmers scale back care for their crops. Abandoned fields also become a haven for pests, amplifying the challenge. Source: La Trencadora Castalla.
In Castalla and neighboring towns such as Ibi, Tibi, Biar and Villena, a late-winter frost destroyed a large portion of the harvest, with losses approaching 80 percent in some fields. Prolonged rains during the same period also pushed crops into full bloom in Marina Alta, l’Alcoià, and the Comtat. The Vall d’Ebo fire this summer added another layer of damage. Source: Regional Agricultural Council.
Francisco Javier Molines, representative of Asaja and mayor of Tárbena, laments the stacked obstacles facing the industry. He notes pests, weather disruptions, and prices that fail to cover costs, which discourages fresh entrants into farming and drives experienced growers away from the land. Source: Asaja Alicante.
Likewise, Ricardo Beltrán, head of dry fruits at La Unió, highlights the low profitability of the crop. He points out that the average producer price during this campaign is slightly below last year’s, signaling heavy market speculation in the food chain. Source: La Unió.
To counter these issues, a direct aid of 125 euros per hectare is advocated for farmers in traditional agricultural regions. This support would help the sector recover the level of assistance it previously had under the CAP. Beltrán also stresses that crop insurance should be tailored to almond-specific risks and realities. Source: La Unió.