Growing one hectare of greenhouse watermelons in Almeria had a cost of 21,116 euros in the 2023/2024 season. As yields stood at 7.65 kilos per square meter, the cost per kilo was 0.28 euros.
These costs have increased by 26.73% over the past five seasons, from 16,662 euros per hectare in 2019/2020 to 21,116 euros in 2023/2024 for the seedless black variety, according to a report by Hortoinfo based on data from the Junta de Andalucía's Observatory of Prices and Markets.
The cost analysis shows fuel costs have increased by 57.08%, from 706 euros per hectare in 2019/2020 to 1,109 euros in 2023/2024, i.e. 403 euros more. Water prices rose by 51.44%, from 1,005 euros to 1,522 euros per hectare. Fertilizer and manure costs increased by 50.84%, from 1,973 euros to 2,976 euros per hectare.
In absolute terms, fertiliser and manure costs were the fastest growing expenditure, increasing by 1,003 euros from 2019/2020 to 2023/2024. Seeds and seedbed services cost 2,799 euros per hectare in 2023/2024, 20.59% more than in 2019/2020.
Expenditure on plant protection in 2023/2024 stood at 2,074 euros per hectare, 25.70% more than in 2019/2020. The use of auxiliary insects to combat pests cost 405 euros per hectare, 15.06% more than in 2019/2020.
Depreciation increased by 544 euros per hectare over five seasons, water by 517 euros, electricity by 5 euros, and general and financial expenses by 111 euros, +15.04% from 2019/2020 to 2023/2024.
These costs include family labor and the depreciation of greenhouses, facilities, and machinery. These data correspond to representative farms and depend on factors such as transplanting date, cycle duration, and location. As such, they should be considered as approximations and not fixed values, the Junta de Andalucía's Observatory of Prices and Markets stressed.
Source: hortoinfo.es