No less than 150,000 people have to go to work every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in the Spanish nursery vegetable region of Almeria - but since March 14th , cars can be only occupied by two masses and vans and heap can only be half - filled . All to control the COVID-19 virus , of which Spain is enduring a knockout eruption . For the same grounds restaurants are close and touristry is at a stalemate . The vegetable garden of Europe is now struggling with laze gross revenue design , a local market that does not run smoothly and a considerable absence in the workplaces . The hardest blows , however , are presently taking place in the flush and plant sphere . Many springtime pants are produced in the commonwealth , but the grocery has completely collapsed . Jan van de Blom of the Coexphal cooperative gives un an insight in the situation in Almeria .
A photo ofAlmeria , Spain , where over 60 % of the Spanish horticultural greenhouses are concentrated : approximately 31,300 ha . The growers export over 70 % of their production .
Hygiene measures"Growers are doing the effective they can at the mo and there have also been some military campaign from the government to thank them for keeping the intellectual nourishment stock certificate up to date . As in other European state , the food supplying is of vital importance " , says Jan.
" On the one handwriting , the piece of work goes on and employees are able to make it to the greenhouse and to do their job . ply they abide by with the distance and hygienics rules , crop consultant and suppliers can still get in the nursery , because these are essential profession to keep the manufacture going . And because of the high virus pressure growers are dealing with in universal , the horticultural industry is used to stern hygiene standard . Growers experience how to deal with flora viruses and extend these measures to the COVID-19 virus . They are well prepared and think earnestly about how to forbid contaminant . "
The greenhouse are fit with informative bill in six speech to also update outside workers with info on hygiene rules , steady temperature measurements and recognisable symptoms . Much focus is on hand laundry : how , why and how often . Disinfectant gels are placed in the packing stations and doer work with baseball glove where necessary . " societal distancing in the nursery is n’t the trouble either , because they often go a long way from each other . "
TransportBigger issues , however , are the transport of employees to and from the greenhouse . Despite the fact that the virus itself is not much present in Almeria , the moment are . Because of the declared state of emergency it is currently only allowed to sit down with 2 masses in an ordinary car , in a avant-garde with 3 , and omnibus are only allow to fill 50 % of their capacity . " jitney unremarkably used to take children to school are now used for transport to and from the greenhouse , " says Jan , " but in Almería , 150,000 mass have to go to work every daytime , which today is not possible . " At the moment between 10 and 30 % of the employees of greenhouses and backpacking post are unable to go to study , the organization estimate .
market place strugglesThere are also struggles in selling the products . Almeria is an important export market and supplies a declamatory part of Europe with solid food . At first the orders seemed to cover , but now that the hospitality diligence and tourism throughout Europe are idle and the hoarding actions of consumers all around the continent seem to be decreasing as well , there has been a considerable stagnation in exports and cancellation of orders . " We see the same development die on in the internal market . Where at first demand was high because people decided to stock up on a spate of solid food and because they often use more at home than when they go out for dinner party , this has also descend to a standstill . The Spanish season lasts another two calendar month here and it seemed that the Mary Leontyne Price for the season was mostly determined , but now the sales have been disrupted gravely . It is important for our area that the transportation of good continues and that the mete remain open , " says Jan. " That production continues to be transported to France , for example . "
Potted plantsIn Spain too , however , the arduous puff are presently conduct place in the bloom and plant sector . Many spring bloomers are produced in the country . " mystify the flowers to bloom in the Netherlands is a quite a little more unmanageable than here , even when hokey light is used , " says Jan. " These plants observe ideal growing circumstance in Almería . Hibiscus and dipladenia , for example . But the securities industry has completely collapsed . "
A aggregate of around 500 hectares of cosmetic works finish is located in the region , mainly potted plants . Just as in the food horticulture sphere , the character of the company dissent a lot : from lowly business where the work is mainly done by the kinfolk , to great conglomeration of dozens of hectare . Some alternate the growing of potted plant with that of peppers , tomato plant , aubergine , etc . from cum in summer .
However , one thing is sure : Many flowers and plants are normally sell around Easter and Mother ’s Day , and many garden centres that normally have many customers in spring are now closed . " raiser lose 70 % of their annual turnover in these two or three months . A number of larger growers do have some stockpile , but the little growers have less " . The question now is if there will be governmental support or an exigency plan . " We ’ll have to hold off and see . European regulations are postulate for governmental backup , because it is forbidden to supply aid to a especial industry . However , a lot of people in Spain need help at the moment . "
© FloralDaily.com/Arlette Sijmonsma
