According to new data, growing vegetables in Almeria's greenhouses during the 2012/2013 campaign had an average cost of 56,938 Euro per hectare, from which 43,393 correspond to running costs and 13,546 to amortisation expenses.
The study was based on data generated by average size, sloping roof greenhouses with a medium-high productive capacity. The most frequent cycles were taken into account, namely single cycle tomatoes, pepper-melon, cucumber-watermelon, courgette and green beans.
The increase in costs compared to the 2011/2012 campaign was of 0.5%; a similar variation to that registered in the previous campaign, which is a sign of stability.
Expenditure in running costs has mostly increased, with the exception of those in phytosanitary measures and communications, which have dropped by 1.7% and 0.3% respectively.
However, increases in the cost of labour (+0.3%), fertilisers (+0.1%), services and other expenses, which account for 55% of the total, are the main reason for the final result.
Expenditure grew the most in the following categories: energy (+3.7%), plastics (+3.1%) and seeds (+2%). Energy costs also affected raw goods and service suppliers.
The drop in biological control costs has been slightly higher (-2.8%), and thus the cost per hectare is still falling, even though different products have shown different trends. For example, the costs with courgettes, beans and cucumbers have increased, according to data provided by companies within the sector.
Source: Hortoinfo
