The Tajo-Segura transfer cuts are already spilling over into the fields, and the impact is mounting. In the south of Alicante province, winter vegetable production, especially artichokes, is forecast to fall by at least 12,000 tons next season. Farmers are planting about 30 percent less than normal in light of expected reductions in water resources, and the economic fallout could reach around 10 million euros.
The new Tagus River hydrological plan, approved by the government for implementation by 2027, sets ecological flows for the river for the first time. This change will significantly alter water released into the Segura basin. Amid already existing restrictions, at least 10 cubic meters of water supply to the state is projected to be halted next year. The reductions are expected to grow in subsequent years, shrinking allocated hectares from 60 to just 30. Since the Alicante region begins with a base of 125 cubic meters per year under the transfer, this will add another deduction to already reduced allocations from prior periods.
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The consequences of the transfer cuts will be felt in the upcoming winter vegetable campaign, with a sharp decline particularly evident in Vega Baja. José Vicente Andreu, president of Asaja Alicante, notes that planting areas could drop by about 30 percent as farmers fear water scarcity and crop losses.
The declines will touch crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce, but artichokes are expected to bear the heaviest burden. Artichokes are a regional emblem and among the most profitable vegetables, making this downturn especially troubling. Andreu describes the situation as a real disaster, adding that supplements like desalinated water are costly and of uncertain quality.
Antonio Ángel Hurtado, president of the Vega Baja Artichoke Association, echoes the warning. It is estimated that cultivation could halt on roughly 500 hectares, equating to about 10,000 tons of artichokes. He emphasizes the uncertainty around upcoming water supplies, prompting farmers to plant less as a precaution.
This setback compounds a downturn the industry has just begun to recover from after the 2019 Dana disaster that devastated the region’s fields.
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Adding to the strain, adverse weather in recent months, including low rainfall and high temperatures, has compounded farmers’ worries. If conditions persist, many may need to drill drying wells, which can raise salinity and undermine crop quality. The Camp d’Elx area remains less fragile, where vegetables also play a significant role. Pedro Valero, producer and Asaja regional representative, explains that Riegos de Levante remains in service and leftovers from Hondo can be used, but concerns among farmers are mounting. It is likely some plantations will face reductions as the situation remains uncertain. Valero notes that the broader sector could face a cascade of problems, from water cuts to rising costs.
Even during a period when prices were expected to be favorable, the sector is bracing for substantial economic losses.
The water dispute continues in the courts, intensifying the conflict over the Tajo-Segura transfer. The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals from the Generalitat and the Alicante Provincial Council, but the controversy endures. Farmers have filed a request to ensure that water allocated to the Guadiana basin remains linked to the transfer, and both the Consell and the Diputación have signaled that new legal steps will be taken to defend irrigation interests.