In the market landscape, prices for fruits and vegetables started to stabilize after a period of volatility tied to the weeks ahead of Holy Week and ongoing transport disruptions. This trend is supported by producers and intermediaries, who were consulted for this report. The cost of a kilo of tomatoes has fallen sharply—from about two euros paid to farmers in April to roughly half of that price today in many points of sale. Market observers note that supply has broadened across markets, helping to ease the squeeze on consumers.
The reopening of maritime borders with Morocco has facilitated renewed exports of fruits and vegetables from that country, enabling traders to resume shipments that had paused during the disruption period. Additionally, transport bottlenecks appear to have eased, and supply chains in major hubs such as Malaga have returned to normal operation, according to representatives from a leading marketing group.
Intermediaries and some residents along the Axarquia coast have shared similar perspectives. There is ongoing concern about a drop in avocado prices at the end of the harvest, though the season now centers on later varieties. Overall, the campaign has shown lower prices than in prior seasons, with a notable impact on growers who rely on a consistent income from subtropical fruits.
Prices for avocado were around a year ago at levels near three euros per kilo in some cases, but current figures show them dipping below one euro in many markets. The situation with avocados is partly driven by agricultural practices, including how many daily waterings the subtropical tree requires. Market voices from Asaja Malaga have indicated that some farmers might consider switching to mango cultivation, especially in areas where traditional mango crops extend over wide stretches of land — a shift driven by water scarcity and drought resilience in the region.
Mangoes offer several advantages for farmers in water-scarce markets like Axarquia. They are relatively drought-tolerant and can produce high yields per tree, with younger trees entering production sooner than other fruit crops. This potential makes mangoes an attractive option for farmers looking to diversify away from crops that demand more irrigation during dry spells.
When discussing the rest of the fruit and vegetable sector, growers point to a broader increase in production costs over the past year. The current price of a kilo of tomatoes, in particular, is not sufficient to fully compensate for all expenses, including rising energy costs and the price of plastics and other materials used in greenhouse operations. Experts from Asaja Malaga note that the surge in petroleum derivatives has had a direct impact on cultivation costs, transportation, and the cost of maintaining protected growing environments.
Looking ahead, the agricultural sector faces a set of intertwined challenges. Producers describe a sustained pressure on margins due to higher input costs, while consumers may benefit from more stable prices as supplies improve and logistics stabilize. The regional emphasis on diversification—shifting some acreage toward mango cultivation—reflects adaptation strategies to a changing climate and resource constraints. In sum, the current market climate shows cautious optimism: prices for some staples have steadied, new supply routes have opened, and farmers are evaluating crop mixes that balance yield, resilience, and cost efficiency. (Asaja Malaga, ongoing updates).