The wild weather that hit the Algarve last week, causing widespread destruction and claiming the life of an 85-year-old British woman, has also caused significant damage to Algarve greenhouses and crops.
In Silves, technicians from CCDR Algarve (the regional development commission) inspected Agrolimoa, one of the region’s major horticultural companies, where modern greenhouses across 6.5 of the farm’s 9 hectares were destroyed. Manager Simão Pereira estimates losses of around €1.5 million, with tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines among the hardest hit.
“This puts all our December and January crops at risk,” he told Lusa news agency. “Output will drop drastically, as our production won’t reach the same quantities as before.” Of the 11 greenhouses on site, only three survived intact.
Still, Pereira insists the company won’t fold. “We employ about 50 people. Closing would be the last resort. Without state support, it will be very difficult. But with help and financing, we could be back at full capacity in a year.”
Citrus and avocado growers across Silves and Lagoa also took a major hit. Many fruits were knocked to the ground due to the effects of Storm Claudia and are now unusable, while trees and irrigation systems were torn apart, said Ilídio Mestre, president of the Silves, Lagoa and Portimão irrigators’ association.
CCDR Algarve says it is receiving reports of the damage caused daily, some “significant”. Once verified, the data will be sent to the agriculture minister’s office to trigger emergency support measures.
As The Resident reported on Thursday, farmers who suffered losses can now submit reports through an official CCDR form available on the institution’s online channels. Once completed, the document can be emailed to the CCDR (vicepresidencia-ap@ccdr-alg.pt) or delivered in person at several locations: the Agrarian Experimentation Centre in Tavira, the Technical Support Division at Portimão Fishing Port, the Patacão Service Desk in Faro or the Alcoutim branch.
