The adverse weather conditions in recent weeks are seriously affecting Argentina's agricultural production. The fruit and vegetable crops, which have been affected by the frost, were also hit by Thursday's heavy rainstorms that lashed the areas of San Juan, San Luis, and Mendoza, among other towns near the border with Chile. According to industry sources, there have been landslides and some roads have been blocked.
Sandra Ciccarelli, from Fragapane, told Fresh Plaza that "the early frosts and rains had caused extensive damage to the fruit. The rain split the cherries' skin and also some stone fruit, especially the peaches and nectarines. According to calculations, at least 50% of these crops was lost."
"So far, we've been able to send some fruit to some markets, but our volume will definitely be affected, as not all the fruit will be suitable for export. This has also had an effect on the prices we achieve. Now, due to this new storm, we must make an inventory of the damage to see how the crop will be affected and how this will limit the exports we had planned," she stressed.
