Portugal’s long, dry winter that saw rainfall levels drop 60% below average is the topic of a report released on Monday, 30 July by the Ministry of Agriculture, Sea and Land Planning.

Although the north of Portugal got around 70% of its normal rainfall, various areas in the southern regions of the Algarve and the Alentejo went without rain at all, a situation comparable to the last major drought of 2004/5.

One of the immediate consequences of the dry winter was a sharp increase in electricity imports following a 64% drop in hydro-electric production in the first half of the year compared to 2011, worsening the country’s energy deficit.

The report adds that the water storage level across Portugal’s system of dams and hydroelectric production facilities is now 53%, down 9% compared to the same period in 2011.

While much of agriculture uses irrigation, the report says farmers have cut back on planted areas out of concerns over water sustainability, like in the Setúbal region where cereals and rice crops were badly hit.

The climatic conditions have caused crop damage that led to the loss of about 50% of this year’s olives, according to estimates. The cherry harvest suffered the same fate following heavy rains when the trees were in bloom.

The report concludes that unusual climatic conditions are likely to affect other crops, with the Algarve’s citrus fruits crop expected to be smaller than usual in 2012.

(Photograph: Glyn Baker)