Spanish tomato growers around the Nijar area in Almeria have appealed to the Spanish government for compensation for substantial losses caused by unexpected cold weather.
Frost has destroyed plants and polyhouses have collapsed under the weight of snow. Steve Smith, a buyer for importer Mack Salads, said: “There are parts of the province where damage to the crop has been estimated as high as 40%.”
Other importers say the effects of the weather are “catastrophic” and, where plantations have survived, they
do not expect production to return to normal until April.
However, tomato growers in the Canary Islands said they had not been badly affected by the Spanish weather.
Foods From Spain’s Francisco Purroy Balda said: “Canary Islands tomatoes have not suffered. The crop is estimated to be as good as last year’s.”

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