The Alicante grain season began with optimism as prices climbed across markets, a mood stirred by rising costs and global supply concerns. Yet a harsh sequence of weather events, part of a broader European pattern, shattered those hopes. After a spell of record heat, crops like wheat and barley suffered, and sunflowers, which had been expanding, faced their own chain of setbacks. The 30% increase in sunflower cultivation in the province was meant to diversify income and ride high prices, but heat and irregular rainfall damaged germination and growth, undermining the early gains that farmers expected.
Ukraine has long been described as Europe’s breadbasket, and the war crisis there pushed up grain prices across Europe, pushing sunflower oil prices higher as well. Early in the conflict, supply fears spiked consumer prices in supermarkets and created a climate of hoarding in some places. The ripple effects touched all producing regions, including Alicante, where farmers hoped to profit from the elevated market rates. Instead, a scorching May and June caused crops to dry out well before harvest, turning what looked like a strong season into a disaster. The result was a production shortfall of about 44,000 tons and an estimated loss approaching 12 million euros, a figure that underscores the vulnerability of a regional system tied to global price swings. In retrospect, the sector faced the double blow of weather stress and shifting market dynamics, a reminder that price spikes do not automatically translate into local gains for farmers. Source notes: European grain markets and weather impact reports
The heat collapses grain yields and tightens the harvest, leaving the campaign marked by a 44,000-ton shortfall
As attention turned to sunflowers, growers saw some potential wind in their sails. Plantations increased by about 30% to roughly six hundred hectares, largely to capitalize on what appeared to be favorable returns. But the sunflowers were not spared from the season’s trials. Production fell short of expectations, prevented from reaching peak levels by a combination of late planting rains followed by dry spells and rising temperatures in midsummer. Local producer Gonzalo Cots from the El Comtat region explained that heavy rainfall at the initial planting stage delayed sowing, then the soil dried under intense heat, and subsequent storms further disrupted germination, forcing repeated cycles. A similar tone came from Ricardo Ferri, a representative of Asaja in the l’Alcoià region, who noted that above-average temperatures in July and August hastened ripening and reduced potential yields. A strong hail event added a further setback, compounding the difficulties faced by growers. Agricultural commentary on sunflowers in Alicante
By the close of the campaign, total sunflower production was projected to reach around six hundred thousand kilograms, with market prices still stubbornly below last year’s levels and hovering around 530 euros per tonne. This contrasted with the 630 euros originally anticipated amid the wartime price environment. Growers observed that fertilizer and phytosanitary costs had risen sharply, which would erode any margin despite higher per-tonne prices. One producer, Gonzalo Cots, pointed out that the costs of inputs would not be offset by the ending prices, underscoring the broader tension between input costs and farm gate returns. Costs, prices, and farm viability in Alicante
Adding a new layer of pressure, the movement of grazing livestock affected cropland, compounding the harvest’s difficulties. Ricardo Ferri reported that goats and sheep caused significant damage by feeding on crops, with entire hectares impacted. He highlighted that this problem has grown in recent years as livestock populations have increased without effective management. Rabbits also contributed to losses, particularly in cereal crops, illustrating the multifaceted nature of agricultural risk in the region. These animal pressures emphasize the need for integrated pasture and land-use planning to support grain and oilseed crops during volatile seasons. Livestock-related crop damages and mitigations