Portugal’s almond sector — a roughly $108 million export industry — has been hit by exceptionally heavy March rains that disrupted flowering and pollination. Executive Director Nuno Russo said March was the rainiest since 2000, with nine extreme events and four major storms; producers report losses ranging from 25% to 85%. The association will publish full national harvest figures by the end of November, and experts say the episode highlights the need to boost agricultural resilience to climate-driven extreme weather.
Extreme March Downpours Devastate Portugal's Almond Crop — Some Growers Face Up to 85% Losses
Portugal, the continent's second-largest almond producer, is facing heavy yield losses after unusually intense spring rains hit orchards during the crucial flowering period. The Portugal Nuts association — cited by FreshPlaza — says the sector generated about $108 million in exports last year, but many growers now expect far smaller harvests.
Executive Director Nuno Russo described March as the rainiest since 2000, recording nine extreme rainfall events and four major storms, including Storm Martinho. Persistent cold and repeated downpours during the weeks of flowering, Russo said, prevented effective pollination and caused fruit not to set across large areas.
Damage has varied widely by region and orchard. Russo reported some producers facing roughly 25% declines while others are confronting losses of up to 85% in almond production. Newer orchards have, according to the association, shown more resilience so far, though detailed reasons and data are still being collected.
Climate Link and Agricultural Risks
Scientists note that warmer air holds more moisture, which can make storms produce heavier rainfall. That means rising global temperatures are contributing to more intense downpours that can be especially damaging when they coincide with sensitive crop stages such as flowering. Farmers elsewhere in the Mediterranean have experienced complementary extremes — from destructive floods to rapid-onset "flash" droughts that strip soil moisture quickly.
Economic And Community Impact
The economic stakes are significant: Russo said the nut sector contributes roughly $81 million to Portugal's trade balance. When harvests fail, seasonal workers, processing firms and local suppliers lose reliable income, and regional rural economies feel the ripple effects.
Outlook
The Portugal Nuts association is still compiling national harvest figures and expects to publish full results by the end of November. Russo added that he does not currently expect domestic shortages, noting that global almond production is not projected to fall dramatically compared with last year. Nonetheless, growers and experts stress that back-to-back weather shocks underline the urgency of strengthening agricultural resilience, improving forecasts, and adapting practices to cope with more volatile weather.
Source: Portugal Nuts association, reported by FreshPlaza.
