Rescue operations are continuing in Valencia this morning – with divers searching a flooded underground car park near the city’s biggest shopping centre, where dozens of people are feared dead.

Meanwhile, Barcelona remains on high alert for further rainfall, with parts of the city and airport experiencing flooding overnight.

As the recovery operation continues in Spain, food producers in other European countries are considering the potential impact on supply chains.

On Breakfast Business, Jackie Leonard & Sons Managing Director Justin Leonard said it is "too early to tell" if the tragedy will result in fruit and vegetable shortages in Ireland.

"During the winter months, Spain would be the main producer of fruits and vegetables for the whole of Europe," he said.

"They're a big, big provider of the fruits and vegetables we all eat during the winter months."

The aftermath of flooding in Alfafar, Valencia, Spain, 30-10-2024. Image: Associated Press / Alamy

Mr Leonard said the disaster is a tragedy for the Spanish people and the farming community.

"First and foremost, this is a personal tragedy for the people of Valencia," he said.

"With regards for the produce from the area, it's just a little too early to tell whether we're going to have a problem or not."

Transport challenges

Mr Leonard said the destruction of roads will also lead to transport problems for farmers.

"A lot of small roads have been washed away," he said.

"You’ve seen it in Valencia itself, roads are impassable due to debris and the cars [and] smaller tributary roads have been completely washed away.

"The problem at the moment isn't whether the produce is there or not, but it's getting it from the fields to the pack houses because of transport issues."

A man walks inside a flood damaged cemetery on the outskirts of Valencia, Spain, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 after flooding in the region. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Leonard added that flooding in fields could also lead to product spoilage.

"There's so much standing water in the fields so it's impossible to cut the produce," he said.

"Also, when the produce is cut, because there’s so much moisture from the rain, it can’t be packed and then put in a refrigerated truck because it would spoil on the way to its destination.

"They’ll have to wait until the standing water subsides and then they’ll make a good educated guess as to what the damage is, what amount of the crop is lost, and what amount of the crop is salvageable.

"We won’t know that for another week or two."

Future outlook

According to Mr Leonard, Ireland is not currently seeing shortages of fruits and vegetable as there is plenty of produce in Holland, one of Europe's main distribution centres.

He warned, however, that the impact of the flooding may become clear in time.

"There's definitely going to be some losses," Mr Leonard said.

"Some of the smaller growers have probably been completely wiped out. A lot of the glasshouses have damage.

"There will be huge financial losses to some of the smaller growers and the pack houses and the cooperatives."

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