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The foods that could rise in price this summer because of the drought in Spain
The lack of rain in Spain could turn cereals, fruit and vegetables into luxury items
Much of Spain is on drought alert due to a desperate lack of rainfall following the hottest and driest April ever recorded, and the Ministry of Agriculture has warned that the price of many staple food items could shoot up this summer as a result.
"Normally, this should lead to less supply, that is, to less production, as is happening to us, for example, now with olive oil. And lower production means higher prices. But all this must be seen on a product by product, market by market basis and, therefore, it is still too early to draw a consequence in this regard."
Foods at risk of inflated prices
Last week, the general director of Consum pointed out that the drought could lead to a shortage of crops this harvest, which would automatically hike up the costs of dry-land products like oil, wheat and potatoes. Already, the lack of rain has resulted in the stunted growth of cereals like wheat and rye.
According to a recent report by the Coordinator of Farmers and Livestock Organisations (COAG), the drought has already scorched 60% of Spanish land and more than 3.5 million hectares of dry-land cereals have been lost.
And fresh produce is also in trouble. In the Bajo Guadalquivir and Cadiz areas of Andalucía, farmers have stopped planting tomatoes, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower due to the lack of water, and doubts have already been cast over the growing of cotton, rice and corn.
COAG also warned that livestock farming, especially sheep, is being affected by the drought, which could lead to a summer shortage of meat and animal products: "If it doesn't rain, there are no pastures to feed the sheep and this forces farmers to have to resort to buying feed and fodder to maintain their animals."
The situation for beekeepers is similar, since the lack of vegetation and flowering "prevents bees from being able to feed and produce honey."
Image: Freepik
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