Heatwaves cause a surge in pig mortality and reduce agricultural production in Mallorca

PalmaThe high temperatures recorded this summer in Mallorca are already having direct consequences on the primary sector. Pig production companies grouped in Pimem have warned of an increase in livestock mortality, while farmers warn of a decrease in crop productivity and the difficulties caused by extreme heat on farms.

As reported by the employers' association, during the month of June, pig farms have registered 6% more animal deaths than in the whole year 2025. The president of the Pimem pig farmers' association, Toni Mestre, attributes this increase to the successive heatwaves that have affected the island in recent weeks.

Mestre explains that the extreme temperatures have particularly affected the most vulnerable specimens and have also hindered the growth of piglets and the reproduction of animals, with the economic impact this entails for livestock farms.

Regarding agriculture, the effects of the heat have also been considerably noticeable. The president of APAEMA, Miquel Coll, points out that crops such as the carob tree, olive tree, almond tree, and fig tree show symptoms of water stress and reduced production due to lack of water and the accumulation of days with high temperatures. Regarding vegetables, Coll warns that when thermometers exceed 35 degrees, many plants suffer burns that affect both the quality and yield of the harvests.

In the same vein, the representative of Unió de Pagesos, Joan Gaià, highlights that the heat increases the water needs of horticultural crops and forces harvesting to be brought forward. This situation could translate into a lower availability of products on the market at the end of August.

The employers' association also points out that extreme temperatures force companies in various sectors to adapt working hours to protect workers' health during the hottest hours, a situation that highlights the growing impact of extreme heat episodes on Mallorca's economic activity.