Orchard of Europe

Murcia and the area around have a long agricultural tradition as an exporter and producer of fruit, and vegetables. Sometimes the area is called the “Orchard of Europe”, as here the tomatoes, cucumbers, and other veggies are produced, that are offered in the supermarkets of the more northern parts of Europe.

But the term "orchard" is too romantic. Most fields are under huge white plastic foils under which a controlled climate creates high yields. Water is often short - and the workers are mostly immigrants, who live under very bad conditions. From here you can see the "white fields".