Heat waves cause up to 40% loss in Extremadura’s industrial tomato harvest

Temperatures in Spain’s Extremadura region have produced successive heat waves that have severely damaged the industrial tomato crop. The Apag Extremadura Asaja federation estimates that many farms have lost more than 30% of their yield, with some parcels seeing up to a 40% reduction. President Juan Metidieri warned that night‑time heat hinders plant development and that contracted prices of €107 per tonne are far below the current production cost of about €150 per tonne. Farmer José Ignacio Serrano reported his own output falling from the usual 80‑100 000 kg to roughly 60‑70 000 kg. Limited irrigation options and the risk of water‑logging further constrain a response. The sector is calling for reliable agricultural insurance and legislation that better protects the food‑chain supply chain.