Increasing heat waves, tropical nights, and rising production costs press farmers
Worsening heat and longer tropical nights are affecting farming in parts of Europe and beyond. In regions where this was not previously common, farmers have faced the brunt of climate change for several years. The burden shows up in higher costs for fuel, electricity, and fertilizer as well as in the toll of extreme temperatures, droughts, storms, and hail on crops. Evidence across the Mediterranean points to shrinking water supplies. A retired researcher from the Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries IRTA has warned that water availability in the basin could drop further if urgent measures are not taken. The warning, relayed through government channels, emphasizes the need for decisive action now. [attribution: IRTA – Institute of Agrofood Research and Technology]
Forecasts point to a 20% drop in water by 2030
The impact on consumers was soon reflected in higher prices, prompting the rural sector to respond. Initial steps included increasing the cultivated area with a focus on ecological production. This shift helped reduce fertilizer and chemical inputs. At the same time, researchers and producers have been developing new crops and preserving older varieties better suited to the changing climate. A notable example is the Tutti apple, a two toned fruit bred to withstand extreme heat through collaboration between IRTA scientists and sector partners. [attribution: IRTA]
Spanish fruit trees under climate pressure
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Experts note that work on new varieties began decades ago as high temperatures began to pose problems for fruit crops. Luis Asín, head of the IRTA fruit breeding program in Lleida, explains that the institute launched a long term effort to produce varieties with improved performance under heat stress. The intense heat waves in recent years have damaged fruit skin and reduced tree productivity, among other issues.
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Asín explains that a New Zealand partner, Plant & Food Research, has guided the process. The goal is to create fruits that stay true to modern flavor and texture trends while thriving in hotter climates. The Tutti project has allocated roughly 50 hectares in Lleida and Girona, and the first harvest reached about 100,000 kilograms. While this is small compared to general market demand, it confirms the viability of the approach. Tutti handles days at 40 degrees and still performs well, according to project leaders.
Organic farming and climate adaptation
Beyond traditional breeding, many farmers shifted toward organic production as a strategy to cope with climate change and to cut costs. The trend is especially visible in vineyards and farms situated at higher elevations where biological practices are proving effective against pests. The shift is also driven by consumer demand for organic products.
Organic farming has extended into crops such as peanuts, where land under organic management has grown substantially since 2011, reaching tens of thousands of hectares. Oil crops have also seen a rise in organic production, a response to repeated droughts that increased production costs. While farmers have reduced chemical treatments, this has not always translated to lower final prices. In the current year, prices for those oils rose by a significant margin.
In 2022 the total area under organic production reached over 2.67 million hectares, representing about 11% of the usable agricultural land. Spain is among the top producers regionally and globally. The European Green Deal Conference recently highlighted Spain as a key player in expanding organic farming to 25% of agricultural land by 2030. This goal underlines the country’s role in addressing the broader agricultural challenges associated with climate change.