Tenerife Potato Harvest Hit by Rains; Cabildo Funds Storage

Tenerife's potato harvest, vital for local food and economy, is in trouble. Heavy rains in late December and early January have caused widespread waterlogging in the north of the island, traditionally its main potato-growing area. This makes it hard to plant and harvest, which could push up prices for shoppers.

Too much water in the fields has severely delayed planting. Farmers in lower and mid-altitude areas should have started planting in early to mid-December. But now, they're forced to wait until late January. This means all northern farmers will have to plant at the same time, instead of spreading it out.

Manuel Reyes, who heads the Las Medianías cooperative in San Juan de la Rambla, says that too much moisture not only delays planting but could also mean many early harvests happen all at once. This would drive down prices for farmers. Reyes also warns against working on waterlogged soil, a practice farmers call "trampling the earth." This compacts the soil, making it harder for water and nutrients to get through. It also stops oxygen from reaching the plants and their roots, which can make the land unproductive for a long time and encourage pests like the Guatemalan potato moth. Reyes stresses that managing the soil properly is crucial because too much water can rot potatoes and cause big losses. Northern farmers are now hoping there won't be any more heavy rain.

On top of this, there's a risk of downy mildew fungus. This fungus thrives in warm, humid conditions and can "burn" the plants, a problem seen last year in the north.

Ángela Delgado, president of Asaga, agrees that while water is good for fields, the constant rain has forced northern farmers to delay planting. If everyone plants at once, most harvests might happen in July and August instead of gradually from May. This could lead to too many potatoes at once and lower prices. Delgado is also worried about seeds rotting or not sprouting well. However, she admits it's hard to predict how the market will look five months from now. It's worth noting that the south of the island hasn't had the same heavy, continuous rain.

This problem comes as less land in Tenerife is being used for potatoes. The area has shrunk from 2,711 hectares in 2013 to 2,257 in 2023.

To help farmers and ease these problems, Tenerife's local government (Cabildo) will spend 1.2 million euros. This money will go towards renovating the cold storage facilities at the Benijos agricultural complex in La Orotava. This seven-month project aims to finish upgrading a facility that farmers in the region have long called for. This area has strong economic and cultural ties to potato farming. The new facility will be able to store two million kilograms of potatoes. Its goal is to give farmers a proper place for their harvest, which should help them get better deals when selling their local produce. The renovated warehouses are expected to be handed over on January 26, after which the cold storage units will be installed.