The recent strong storms along the northern coast of Portugal have resulted in drastic coastal erosion, with beaches literally wiped out and steep cliffs forming. Access to these areas is restricted due to safety concerns. Coastal erosion has been a long-standing problem in this region, but it has worsened significantly over recent weeks. The ramifications of these storms are most prominently felt in agriculture, where heavy rains have flooded fields and strong winds have destroyed greenhouses and storage facilities, impacting local farmers considerably.

Particularly affected are the farmers in the Mondego region, where the destruction has led to extensive flooding of agricultural land. Pedro Pimenta, a representative of the Portuguese farmers' union, emphasized the severity of the situation, describing it as a tragedy for over two thousand families who will face a year without crops due to these early-season losses. The destruction comes at a critical juncture for farmers, as losing an entire season poses significant financial and emotional burdens on local communities.

Experts warn that the destruction of this agricultural produce may lead to reduced supply in the market, potentially creating food supply issues not only within Portugal but also impacting neighboring regions in Europe. The combination of natural disasters and agricultural challenges presents a complex crisis that could affect food prices and availability across the continent, raising concerns over food security as the season progresses.