Protecting fruit means protecting the value of Portuguese agriculture and an important part of our heritage. Portuguese fruit is much more than just an agricultural product, it is part of our national heritage. It represents the diversity of our country, the expertise of our producers and the unique flavour that sets Portugal apart on Europe’s culinary map.
From the oranges of the Algarve to the cherries of Fundão, from the apples of Alcobaça to the Rocha pears of the West or the blueberries of the North, every piece of fruit tells a story. They are symbols of our identity and the driving force behind the rural economy. Preserving them is, therefore, a collective duty.
The challenges of an unpredictable climate
Today, growers face increasingly unpredictable risks: sudden storms, hail, strong winds, unseasonal rain or heatwaves. These phenomena cause significant losses, not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality, often compromising access to the highest-valued fruit grade (Grade I), which is essential for the profitability of farms.
PROTECTING FRUIT CREATES VALUE
At CarmoFarm, the area of CarmoWood dedicated to solutions for the agricultural sector, we have been working closely with Portuguese farmers for over 45 years. Experience has shown us that awareness of the importance of protective structures is growing, but there is still some way to go in terms of technical knowledge and access to support.
The installation of nets and structures tailored to each crop and region can make all the difference. Recent studies indicate that the use of protective netting in a Gala apple orchard can increase yield by more than 11,000 euros per hectare, a figure that can exceed 14,000 euros when losses due to sunscald are taken into account. In many cases, the cost of the investment is quickly recouped through increased productivity and quality.
Solutions for resilient agriculture
Every orchard is different, so solutions must be customised:
• Anti-hail, anti-sunburn and photoselective nets to minimise the impact of the weather, provide protection from the sun and optimise light;
• Rain screens, to minimise the impact of the weather
• Windbreaks and staking systems, to ensure greater stability and longevity of the crop.
More than just infrastructure, these are investments in the resilience of Portuguese agriculture.
Protection tailored to each crop
When choosing a protection system, the characteristics of each farm must be taken into account. The crop, location, climatic conditions, type of risk and production objectives are key factors in determining the most suitable solution.
As well as choosing the right netting, it is essential to ensure that the entire structure is correctly sized. Posts, wires, fastening systems and tensioning elements all work together to ensure stability and strength in the conditions to which the orchard is subjected.
A properly designed solution not only protects the fruit from adverse weather conditions, but also creates better conditions for the crop’s development. In this way, investment in protection systems helps to reduce losses, preserve the quality of the produce and provide growers with greater predictability across different growing seasons.
This approach makes it possible to keep pace with the changing needs of the farm and ensure more consistent protection of crops throughout their production cycle.
At CarmoFarm, each project is analysed in line with the specific needs of the farm, with a view to finding protection solutions suited to the crop and the site conditions for each new growing season.
A commitment to the future
Protecting fruit means protecting our farmers’ work, the sector’s sustainability and the quality of the produce that reaches our tables.
At CarmoFarm, we believe that fruit is part of our national heritage and should be protected with the same dedication with which we preserve our monuments, our knowledge and our landscape.
‘Every piece of fruit tells a story.’
Tiago Cardoso – Agricultural Sales Manager, Portugal, CarmoFarm