With extreme weather hitting parts of Spain and Morocco this season, the fresh produce trade has had to stay on its toes. Flooded fields, delayed harvests and fluctuating volumes are becoming familiar challenges rather than one-off events.

And when that happens, the real difference-maker isn’t just the weather - it’s the buyer.

A high-level produce buyer doesn’t just place orders. They read the bigger picture. When rain finally arrives in drought-hit Moroccan regions, they see the long-term benefit for water security - but they also understand the short-term disruption it can bring to harvest schedules. When heavy downpours affect Spanish yields, they don’t panic. They plan.

Experience counts in seasons like this.

Strong buyers are usually ahead of the curve. They’re already tracking crop reports, talking to growers and watching weather systems before problems show up in availability reports. That early insight gives them options - whether that’s activating a secondary origin, adjusting volumes, or reworking promotional plans before shelves are affected.

Relationships matter too. In volatile seasons, the buyers who’ve invested time in their suppliers tend to get the phone call first. They get the honest assessment of crop size and quality. They’re more likely to find solutions together rather than argue over contracts. That trust can be the difference between a manageable shortage and a full-blown supply issue.

There’s also a commercial balancing act. Weather disruption often pushes prices up. A seasoned buyer knows when to protect margin and when to protect supply. They understand that sometimes safeguarding a long-term partnership is worth more than squeezing a short-term deal.

And then there’s quality. Heavy rain might affect the appearance without affecting the taste. An experienced procurer can make sensible calls on specifications - reducing waste while still delivering for the consumer.

Perhaps most importantly, strong buyers build resilience long before it’s tested. They diversify sourcing, avoid over-reliance on one region and think strategically about seasonality. That groundwork pays off when weather volatility strikes.

The reality is that climate swings aren’t going away. If anything, they’re becoming part of the operating environment. But that doesn’t mean the industry is powerless.

When you have capable, well-connected and commercially astute buyers in place, disruption becomes something to manage - not something to fear.

The fresh produce sector will always depend on the elements. But with the right people steering procurement, there’s real reason for confidence.