This has been one of the driest winters in recent decades in the Region of Murcia, and in un-irrigated areas even the hardiest of crops have been affected by the drought over the last few months. This is the case of the almond trees, which are generally planted in shallower soil than olives and vines, and which are suffering to varying degrees in different parts of Murcia. 

 

According to a report produced by the regional ministry for Agriculture the trees worst affected are the almonds of the Río Mula area: of the Region’s total of 66,000 hectares of almond groves over 4,600 hectares are showing clear signs of dehydration, another 21,000 hectares are at serious risk of dehydration and the remaining 40,000 hectares are beginning to show early signs of suffering as a result of the lack of rain.

 

In the Río Mula area there is a total of 20,527 hectares devoted to almond orchards, almost a third of the regional total, and it is here where least rain has fallen over the winter. As a result 72% of the almonds are classified by the ministry as already showing signs of dehydration, with almost all of the rest at serious risk. Other areas affected are the Guadalentín, the Vega Media del Segura, Fuente-Álamo and Mazarrón.

 

Ángel García Lidón, the head of the relevant government department, warns that the consequences could be severe unless it rains soon, and unfortunately the weather appears to be set fair for the foreseeable future. This continues a meteorological pattern which has been prevalent ever since September: whereas in a normal winter the area receives an average of around 200 millimetres of precipitation, in the winter of 2013-14 the figure has generally been close to just 70mm. In some areas only 20mm of rain has fallen, and the effect on almond trees is becoming alarmingly clear for all to see.

 

For the time being olives and vines are resisting the drought rather better, but should the dry weather continue they will also eventually be at risk, and while officials continue to monitor the situation the regional ministry is open to suggestions from all of those affected.