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Main processing regions: weather conditions as of 6 June 2018

21/06/2018

2018 Season
François-Xavier Branthôme
Ukraine,
Africa
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Despite the very heavy rains that fell across the Iberian Peninsula at the end of May, the month ended with a slight shortfall in terms of total rainwater for the growing regions of southwestern Spain (Guadiana and Andalusia basins) and Portugal. Conversely, from the center of Spain to the south of France (particularly the Southeast) and almost all of the Italian tomato growing regions, accumulated rainfall was 2 to 3 times higher than the monthly average.
Temperatures in Spain and Portugal were slightly lower than normal, while they were 1° to 3°C higher than normal in the southeast of France, Italy, Greece and eastern Turkey, sometimes as much as 3° to 5°C higher in some places. These sometimes very difficult local weather conditions have at times strongly accentuated the pressures caused by plant health issues.

Situation in the Mediterranean region for the month of May 2018

Growing regions in the Xinjiang region recorded accumulated rainfall for May that was considerably higher than usual, with temperatures that have been well below seasonal averages.

Situation in the Xinjiang region for the month of May 2018

In California, May ended on a shortfall in terms of rainwater for all of the counties where processing tomatoes are grown. As for drought, the situation has nonetheless greatly evolved from the extreme conditions recorded in recent years: the intensity of drought officially declared for the relevant regions as of 29 May was recorded between nil and abnormally dry, which means that it was rated between first and second levels on a scale of 1 to 5. 
May's temperatures were slightly higher (between 0° and 5°F) than averages for the month, particularly in the North of the State.

Situation in California for the month of May 2018

Some complementary data
Situation in the Mediterranean region, as of Wednesday 6 June, 17h GMT

Average temperatures often lower than normal seasonal levels for western Europe

Source: NOAA, Windy