Spain heat wave kills 500,000 kg of mussels and drives up farm losses in Balearic Islands

Extreme summer temperatures in Spain pushed water in the Ebro Delta to 28 °C in late June, leading to the death of about 500,000 kg of mussels (450,000 kg in the Alfacs bay and 50,000 kg in the Fangar bay). The loss represents more than €1.2 million for local aquaculture and has sparked fears of further brood mortality, which could force producers to import seed from Greece or Italy and seek emergency government aid.

In the Balearic Islands, sustained heat exceeding 40 °C and hot nights have caused cooperatives to project up to a 40 % reduction in agricultural and livestock output. Tomato yields in Mallorca have already fallen by around 25 % in July, while potato harvests show similar losses. Livestock, especially dairy cattle in Menorca, suffer thermal stress, reduced feed intake, lower milk production, and higher water costs, with a noted 5 % rise in mortality among fattening sheep. The heat also promotes fungal and pest outbreaks, further threatening crops and increasing expenses for farmers.