Winter vegetables rely on cooler temperatures to thrive, but the absence of those conditions this season has left many crops vulnerable. In Alicante, harvests of emblematic vegetables like artichokes, cauliflower, and broccoli dropped by about 30%, leading to poorer quality. This, coupled with softer demand at markets due to abnormal warmth, pushed prices down and left producers watching helplessly. Climate change is a persistent reality, and this year’s pattern seems to be repeating more frequently.
Normal winter vegetable production in Alicante, concentrated mainly in the Camp d’Elx and Vega Baja regions, typically reaches about 50,000 tons. Of that, roughly 40,000 tons are artichokes, with the remainder made up of broccoli, cauliflower, and to a lesser extent potatoes, broad beans, and romanesco. If current conditions persist, this year’s harvest may barely surpass 35,000 tons.
The root cause of this crop distress has been temperatures that failed to drop even slightly as expected for a winter season. Antonio Ángel Hurtado, president of Alcachofa Vega Baja, notes, “We’ve seen a larger day‑to‑night temperature jump since Christmas, yet temperatures remain springlike, directly impacting crops.”
The immediate effect was a 30% drop in production, but quality suffered too. “Artichokes are noticeably looser and lighter than they should be. Cauliflowers and broccoli show speckling as well.”
markets
The story does not end with production. Markets have not functioned as they should. Hurtado explains, “People expect winter produce like these items. Now it feels more like spring, and demand has fallen across Spain and export destinations such as France, Germany, and Italy, where temperatures are still warm.”
This shift has contributed to falling prices. Artichokes, which should fetch around 1.20 per kilo, are selling for 80 cents to 1 euro. Broccoli and cauliflower are trading between 35 and 40 cents, making them unprofitable at present, Hurtado warns.
Other crops grown during this period, including salads, are also affected by high temperatures. “Growth accelerates, but harvests don’t have a corresponding market outlet.”
Pedro Valero, a producer and head of Asaja in Elche, shares a similar view. “Lack of cold fosters a fungus problem, especially for broccoli, and artichokes have less vegetation, which lowers production further. They also look poor to consumers and are smaller, complicating sale. We haven’t seen such a warm winter in memory, with days often hitting 22 or 23 degrees Celsius.”
Transfer
Valero adds concerns about possible interruptions to the Tajo-Segura transfer, which could shrink irrigation fields. “People fear planting because they’re unsure of water availability. Costs for water, fuel, fertilizers, and phytosanitary products have surged, creating a perfect storm that squeezes farmers financially.”
José Luis Miralles, the La Unió representative at Camp d’Elx, underscores climate change as a growing threat to traditional regional crops. “We used to respond to crop needs in time, but rising winter temperatures are becoming structural,” he says. He also points to price dynamics, noting that higher prices do not benefit producers because large distribution chains capture much of the profit, undermining sustained agricultural activity.
Artichokes for the whole year
This broader context of global warming has spurred research partnerships, including efforts by the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), the Superior Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), and BASF, which aim to identify genes that could enable artichoke crops to tolerate warmer environments. The industry views these initiatives with hope, as they promise the potential to stabilize supply and extend availability nearly year‑round. Yet, the timeline for practical results remains uncertain.
Alicante Agriculture Ends a Difficult Year Marked by Weather Anomalies
In Alicante, the agricultural sector faced what many regard as the toughest year in memory. Meteorological anomalies linked to climate change, rising costs, and competition from external producers created a challenging operating environment for farmers.
Olive cultivation, in particular, suffered from heavy spring rains and May heat, causing fungal defoliation. Frost and persistent rains during flowering reduced olive set and contributed to an estimated 70% drop in production.
Cherries also struggled. Rain dominated the cycle, with early bloom followed by 20 straight days of precipitation that hindered pollination. Surviving cherries endured further rain and hail, keeping the harvest minimal. Rains damaged peach, apricot, plum, and medlar crops in several areas, while almond production fell by about 40% due to the tiger parasite, and fig crops suffered from severe summer heat.
Citrus crops faced setbacks despite significant fruit inflows from South Africa in the early campaign and later from Turkey, Egypt, Israel, and Morocco.