The vines are starting to flower and in the
next four weeks or so the nascent grape bunches will appear, so it is still too
early to worry about the Levante wind which has been blowing for some time. But
with grape prices so low, the growers are worried about profitability as they
are paid on weight. This wind from the east is hot and dry, and while it can
stop mildew in its tracks, it can also accelerate ripening and reduce yields.
Only yesterday the high winds tore down many trees in the province. The 2016
harvest was down around 17% on the average due to the persistent Levante, and many
growers simply can’t afford another poor year.
 |
| (foto: Pascual, diariodejerez) |
Rainfall this year has been more normal than
last year’s drought followed by torrential rain and the inevitable outbreak of
mildew, and while there are now sufficient water reserves in the sub soil, growers
still worry. It is hard to spray against mildew in high wind, so many haven’t
done so. Only time will tell as the weeks leading up to the harvest determine quality
and quantity. The growers are between a rock and a hard place with such low
prices and potential crop-reducing weather, and many have given up.
No comments:
Post a Comment