The start of the horticultural season in Almeria has begun with sharp price drops, which, according to the Coordination of Farmers' and Stockbreeders' Organizations (COAG), could worsen the crisis that farms were already facing due to pests, diseases, and viruses.
The agricultural organization states that prices for cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes have fallen significantly below production costs, describing the situation as "savage and widespread."
Cucumber is a notable example. Producers are paid less than 20 cents, but in supermarkets, a single fruit costs over 30 cents on average, and a kilogram costs over €1.50. Zucchini prices stand at approximately 40 cents, stated Andrés Góngora, provincial secretary of COAG Almeria.
Additionally, prices are falling early in the season when production levels are still low. "There is no justification for this sharp drop," they warn.
The organization emphasized that the disparity between what growers receive and what consumers pay is continuing to widen. "We've been raising the issue for many years, but nothing is being done to correct this unfairness."
COAG highlighted that agriculture in Almeria is a crucial source of employment for the province, and that the lack of profitability poses a threat to the survival of thousands of small farms. "The future of the agri-food sector in Almeria depends on an immediate and effective response from the administrations," they stressed.
In this sense, the organization is calling for direct market intervention and warns that the current Food Chain Law "falls short" of ensuring fair prices for producers.
Source: sevilla.abc.es
