Desalinated water remains in use to sustain fruit, vegetable, and general crop production in the Segura basin, despite its high price. Farmers and water managers say they are compelled to buy desalinated water at a premium in order to protect crops in the Region of Murcia and the nearby provinces of Alicante and Almería, from plants such as Águilas, Valdelentisco, and Torrevieja.
Uncertainty grows as no irrigation transfers are planned. Last Friday the Ministry for Ecological Transition announced a policy of zero transfers, leaving farm workers with the challenge of maintaining normal harvests with far less water.
Lucas Jiménez, president of the Central Association of Irrigators for the Tajo Segura Aqueduct, warned that the price of desalinated water will keep rising, which will push up costs for Murcian farmers and irrigators.
The zero transfer decision was received with disappointment. The government approved only 7.5 cubic meters of water for urban supply, effectively depriving Levantine agriculture of the Tagus situation. Technicians with the Central Commission for the Processing of the Tagus Segura Aqueduct had recommended a shipment of 20 cubic hectometers, given that the Entrepeñas and Buendia reservoirs are in exceptional condition (level 3).
“It is the fifth time that transfers for irrigation have been blocked,” said a representative from the People’s Party in the Region of Murcia. Joaquín Segado, Deputy Minister of Communications, Organization and Elections for the regional party, condemned the decision led by Teresa Ribera, the Minister of Ecological Transition, noting that the ministry did not meet the technical criteria in 18 of 27 cases it faced when deciding on transfers. He claimed that the Socialist Party systematically punishes the Murcia region. A regional government delegate argued that the Murcian countryside should receive a water balance that ensures irrigation water at a reasonable price, regardless of its origin.
As the hydrological year begins on October 1, irrigation communities have already exhausted the desalinated water they could buy, hoping that autumn, winter, and spring rains will return to the Region and the broader Levante area.
“Very significant extra cost”
José Miguel Marín, head of COAG in Murcia, condemned the political maneuvering surrounding the transfer policy. He said irrigators plan crops based on river resource availability, and the current situation inflicts substantial damage. He noted that climate conditions are harsh and drought is a serious concern, but the law exists to enforce rules. If river reserves can be transferred, they should be transferred, he asserted.
Marín warned that desalinated water may be a viable option only at a very high additional cost, and in some regions, even that option might be unavailable. This leaves water users in a precarious position.
Water transfers typically cost about 18 to 20 cents per cubic meter, while desalination costs, supported by subsidies, range from 54 to 55 cents per cubic meter for each user, depending on the irrigation communities’ expenses.
The sector remains hard hit by rising fuel and electricity prices. Operators see continuing pressure as the situation worsens—some describe it as unsustainable unless decisive steps are taken.
Marcos Alarcón, Secretary General of UPA Murcia, cautions that repeated zero transfers and Level 3 conditions at the Tagus could persist in the coming months. He warns this would further restrict irrigation water availability and push production costs higher due to more expensive desalinated water and reduced transfer water. Family farms could face financial strain and debt pressure.
What happens after December 31 is crucial. The current decree drought measures and emergency aid for farmers, including desalinated water subsidies, are up for review. For many, paying significantly more per cubic meter may be impossible if the dispute persists.
Since late August, the ministry has set the desalinated water price at 40 cents to offset the interruption in the Tagus Segura transfer.
Honey harvest could be halved due to drought and beekeater activity
COAG reports that the honey harvest could fall by 40 to 50 percent due to drought and losses caused by the beekeater, a bird that preys on bees. In the Region of Murcia, the typical harvest could drop by half, with near blank campaigns for orange blossom and rosemary honey and significant beekeeping challenges ahead.
Scarce insect presence, reduced flowering, and the absence of ponds have driven bees to become a main food source for migratory birds. This change pushes bees to stay in the hive longer, as the birds feed elsewhere.
COAG notes that this pattern affects beekeeping best in late summer. The organization has asked regional authorities for targeted support for beekeepers. Outside the region, beekeeping losses are visible in neighboring Andalusia and the Valencian Community, with a projected drop of over 50 percent in honey production.