Last week in Denia!

Last weeks blip in the weather has resulted in more than just disappointed holidaymakers. The torrential rain that fell last week in the province has has damaged wine grapes as well as other fruit and vegetables according to the farmers association BDA.

At this time of the year the vines are almost ready to harvest and this will have consequences for the wine industry. Jalon, probably one of the regions biggest wine producers are certainly holding their breathe until the damage is fully inspected. A spokesperson for the association commented that there has been a decrease in the number of farmers who have taken out insurance against such eventualities as a result of the rise of the insurance premiums. It is something familiar to most and in the current economic climate many are cancelling policies as they struggle to balance outgoings.

Local produce...

Prices may start to rise - even at the weekly markets where they always sell locally grown fresh fruit and veg. If you haven´t been it is fantastic - visually a multicoloured rainbow of goodness and you can even try many of the fruit on offer. In the summer you can virtually eat your way through half a kilo of cherries and strawberries as you walk around from stall to stall!

Two of Spain´s most important exports - wine and olive oil, have already suffered in the first six months of this year due to high price increases of between 20% - 30% as a result of low crops from the previous season. For 2012, olive oil exports reached 828,000 tons, however in the first six months of this year sales stand at only 108,00 ton - less than half of the 248,00 in the same period for last year.

Im just worried that there will now be a shortage of grapes for the traditional Spanish New Years Eve celebrations when you have to gobble a grape at every chime...

Brilliant and so accurate!