Chestnut production in the Valle del Genal is expected to be down by forty percent this year, the climate being blamed for the decline.
The Valle del Gena is the main area for the cultivation of chestnuts with approximately 4,000 hectares devoted to production.
The decline in production is being blamed on climatic conditions. August was very warm, as it usually is, and the rains, 160 litres, arrived on September 15th, which was apparently a bit late for the fruit. In addition, early may was hot and the end of May was a lot cooler in the area, apparently the wrong way round for optimum production.
Prices have reportedly fallen by 30%, which will please the consumers but not the farmers.