Despite early fears over damaging winds, Storm Nuria has been met with relief by farmers across the Canary Islands, who are celebrating the much-needed rainfall it brought to drought-stricken farm lands.
While the wind did cause some localised damage, particularly to banana plantations in the Isla Baja region, the storm’s rainfall has been broadly beneficial for crops such as potatoes, vines, and bananas.
Ángela Delgado, president of the Canary Islands Farmers and Ranchers Association (Asaga), praised the rainfall’s timing and distribution, especially in the mid-altitude regions of southern and northern Tenerife, as well as in La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.
“We were expecting worse. The wind was a concern, but the rain turned out to be a gift,” she said. “It has been fantastic for the vineyards, potatoes, and bananas.”
According to official data, rainfall reached 88 litres per square metre in Granadilla de Abona and 60 litres in Vilaflor. Delgado explained that the potato harvest, already at 70% of its production cycle, has been largely unaffected and is now on track for what she described as a potentially “excellent yield” this year.
Beyond the immediate boost to crops, Delgado highlighted other long-term benefits of the rainfall. “It’s helped flush salts from the soil, which had been suffering from high salinity, and it even works as an ecological insecticide against pests like the potato moth.”
Although the final assessment of wind damage is still pending, Asaga views the outcome of Storm Nuria as overwhelmingly positive, especially after almost two years of drought and hardship that led many farmers to abandon planting altogether.
Forecasts from European meteorological models suggest another Atlantic storm may approach the islands next week, though with less intense wind. For farmers, this could mean even more rainfall, reinforcing hopes for a bumper potato crop and a better agricultural season overall.
“Water is always welcome in the countryside,” said Delgado, who remains optimistic. “If the rain continues, we’ll have a truly exceptional year.”
