Frost and drought causing widespread shortages in Spanish vegetable crops

FROSTS across Spain are causing widespread shortages of vegetables with suppliers scrambling to find alternatives to avoid a repeat of last year’s crisis.

The January cold snap has hit crops coming from southern Spain, adding to supply pressures following one of the worst droughts on record.

Grower’s association – ASAJA Alicante – has already seen a 1,000 hectare loss, with the region harvesting 25% less than in 2016.

Lettuce, artichoke and broccoli plantings have been worst affected, with commodity analysts Mintec seeing the wholesale price of iceberg lettuce from Alicante, Murcia and Algeria rising 50% in the four weeks from December 2017 and January 2018.

Salad brands are now looking to source products across the Mediterranean, as the frost looks set to stay contained in Spain.