Axarquia vineyards face huge losses in extreme heatwave

DIFFICULT times are ahead for vineyard owners in the Axarquia.
The Mesa de la Pasa, a forum attended by experts from the sector to discuss a variety of topics, has estimated that at least 50 per cent of the total production of Moscatel grapes has been lost due to the extreme and continued high temperatures registered in July.
This worrying news has been announced by representatives of the forum, the mayors of Almachar and El Borge, Jose Gamez and Salvador Fernandez respectively, who held a meeting this week with the goal of expressing their concern over the terrible consequences of this situation to the local and regional governments and administrations.
The Mesa de la Pasa has asked for technical help from the Regional Agriculture Office (OCA) to assess the loss and certify official reports, which will help at least 2,000 families get compensation in the future.
They have also requested the Junta de Andalucia be “especially sensitive” to the grape-producing municipalities and act according to their needs, providing them with social aid programmes.
Compensation has been requested for a great number of Axarquia municipalities including Almachar, El Borge, Sayalonga, Areanas, Canillas de Aceituno, Torrox, Benamargosa and Comares.