SPANISH WINTER: The €3.7 million costs of first frosts

THE first frosts of winter in Spain affected a total of 6,548 hectares and caused more than €3.7 million worth of damage in Murcia.

According to the Minister of Agriculture, Miguel Angel del Amor, this is a very high figure for the first wave of cold.

The most badly hit has been Lorca, with 3,800 hectares affected and 1.2 million worth of damage. In Totana, more than 1,100 hectares have been struck, followed by Fuente Alamo with 560 hectares, and Alhama with 498.

Angel del Amor said there were also some damages in the municipality of Yecla.

Crops affected were green beans, artichokes, lettuce, and some early fruits.

Del Amor added that the county offices had previously informed farmers what they could do before and during frost to minimize damages, adding that the best tool to weather this type of incident was having an agricultural insurance.