This fruit, much loved in winter, could be missing from shelves for months

Floods in Spain have created a stir in our supermarkets. The country As one of our largest producers, there are risks of shortages. plan now on this fruit.

The torrential rains that fell in the Valencia region caused a lot of human, material and health damage in November, with a tragic toll of around 223 dead and 78 missing. This meteorological phenomenon was “revealing a high vulnerability” of the Mediterranean coast, according to Geoconfluences. Indeed, these floods have caused difficulties for the Spanish agri-food sectors, particularly citrus production. Many farms, mostly in the Valencia region, have been devastated by the waters. Having become inaccessible, they threaten the supply of food to France. According to France Bleu Roussillon, this shortage could strike soon and last for the next few months.

Spain, considered the “vegetable garden of Europe”, is one of the continent's largest producers of fruits and vegetables. The Iberian Peninsula supplies 77% of the zucchini, 84% of the cucumbers, 76% of the salad and a large part of the citrus fruits consumed in France. Rising water levels therefore lead to a drastic drop in these exports.

And the arrivals of clementines are not spared. This seasonal fruit is nevertheless used to abounding on winter stalls. Rich in vitamins, fibers and antioxidants, it helps to strengthen the immune system and reduce fatigue, often more pressing in the cold.

Usually, this month of November sees a peak in consumption of clementines, but  Perpignan, the supply was long and perilous: Spanish transporters were blocked for a long time, unable to take the direct motorway to go back up to Barcelona and deliver to France, worried the operator of a transport company based in Saint-Charles, in an article from France Bleu Roussillon. These itinerary constraints were added for a time to a production that was almost at a standstill.

The main problem lies in the life expectancy of clementines, sensitized by the floods: “The fruits are waterlogged and risk rotting,” says the professional. As a result, a drastic drop is expected throughout the country. “60% of arrivals for France” are affected. And that's not all, oranges, zucchinis, eggplants, peppers and tomatoes will also be less present in French markets.