Grower representatives in Spain’s Almería greenhouse-production region are reporting recurring interruptions to irrigation-water supplies as the 2026–27 horticultural season begins. In separate statements on 7 and 8 October, leaders at cooperative CASI and growers’ association COAG Almería described supply constraints in parts of the province and pressed for delayed water infrastructure to be delivered. Their accounts are reported operating conditions, not a verified province-wide utility outage schedule.
CASI president Antonio Bretones told EsRadio Almería on 7 October that the Campo de Níjar and municipality of Almería were experiencing irrigation restrictions. He described cuts on four days each week in the Almería area and cited heat and water availability among the challenges facing growers. That frequency is his account of a local situation, not an independently confirmed timetable covering all of Almería.
COAG calls for quicker delivery of desalinated and reclaimed water
On 8 October, Europa Press reported COAG Almería’s statement warning that interruptions lasting several days in some areas were occurring alongside inadequate alternative supplies. The association urged faster work on desalination and treated-water reuse, arguing that reliance on aquifers remains too high.
COAG cited delayed expansion and distribution infrastructure around Campo de Dalías, Carboneras, Níjar and Bajo Almanzora. Its statements about works and target dates describe the association’s assessment; they should not be read as verified utility commissioning guarantees.
Why irrigation reliability is a commercial signal
For greenhouse vegetable operators, intermittent access to irrigation water can complicate irrigation scheduling, nutrient delivery and crop planning. Growers may need contingency storage, alternative supply contracts and closer water-quality checks while waiting for distribution infrastructure. These are practical risks suggested by the reported interruptions, not established crop losses.
Recent water-supply infrastructure announcements in Níjar address a different issue: building future capacity. They do not prove that the present reports of supply interruptions have already been resolved.
What is still unverified?
Neither the total number of affected greenhouse hectares nor the economic impact has been independently established. A utility-level schedule, measured irrigation deficits and commissioning dates for the relevant projects would be needed to quantify the region-wide consequences.
Key takeaways
- CASI and COAG Almería have separately reported irrigation-water interruptions in parts of the province at the start of the growing season.
- The reported local cut frequency is a grower leader’s statement, not an independently validated regional schedule.
- Completion of desalination and reclaimed-water distribution infrastructure is a key next signal for commercial greenhouse operators.
