The fallen snow has been "perfect" for crops such as hazelnut, almond, vine, and carob trees, as it provides necessary water and contributes to the cold hours the trees need to rest during winter and sprout strongly in the spring. Claramunt explained that, conversely, younger seedlings in places like Prades, where temperatures dropped below zero, might have been "burned" by the excessive cold.
“"The snowfall has not affected us; it has been very good for woody crops because we would need much more cold."
The union highlights that the combination of recent rains (with about 75 liters of water fallen in areas like Vilallonga del Camp) and the current cold could lead to a good hazelnut harvest, which requires about 400 hours of cold. However, Claramunt warned that if this year's harvest is not good, many farms might end up uprooting their hazelnut trees.
Beyond the climate, the agricultural sector laments the price situation. The coordinator recalled that the price of oil and, especially, carob has fallen drastically. Carob, which was paid at 2 euros three or four years ago, is now at 35 cents, a situation attributed to the excessive number of intermediaries.
In the context of mobilizations, Unió de Pagesos supports the actions of Revolta Pagesa, including this Thursday's protest against the EU-Mercosur Treaty. Furthermore, the union has called for a burning of hazelnut trees in Riudoms on January 19 to denounce the lack of water and demand speed in the works of the regenerated water plant at the Reus treatment facility.
