The Malaga countryside is taking to the streets again. This time it was the turn of Malaga farmers. They donated 3 thousand kilos Lemons were distributed to passersby to condemn the unfair prices at which these citrus fruits were sold.
For him, Small Farmers Union (UPA) organized an impromptu lemon market in Malaga Marina SquareThey protest their situation as follows: “We have a big problem with citrus fruits. It costs about 35 cents to produce a kilo, but the industry is buying it at 10 cents. In fact, in most cases, you have to pay transportation fees to the industry. What is unacceptable is that Consumers pay the price for this in big stores 2 euros and 2.10 euros per kilo,” reproaches UPA Málaga state secretary Francisco Moscoso.
A dramatic situation affecting hundreds of professionals in the statestop picking lemons: “I have 100,000 kilos unsold. While its production costs me 35 kuruş, they buy it from me for 10 kuruş per kilo. We are the ones feeding the country and that’s how it treats usN. This is not fair, it is abuse. “I can’t live by selling at this price,” he says resignedly. Rafael GuerreroMalaga farmer.
Representing prices “a real ruin” Another farmer shouts to the producers, “We are giving it away for free because it cannot be sold.”
From UPA they think: sales fee It should be “over 35 cents”: “We want to survive like everyone else, We want affordable prices. What they want is to make a living from tourism. Farmers keep this country alive. “This lemon is the most expensive lemon I sold today because I will give it away,” another professional charges.
Given this situation, Moscoso claimed: Food Chain Law is complied with and imposing sanctions on those who do not comply.
Food Chain Law It came into force on January 1. This rule, as of this date, Farmers will no longer be paid below production prices. Something that is not being fulfilled: “These are not being fulfilled, but farmers need to be brave and report them,” he points out.
“Ruralization in Malaga province is a destructive business”
Likewise, UPA calls on public institutions: “watch prices”: “The Administration, the Central Government and the Andalusian Junta each have their own duties. Junta de Andalusia needs to organize an entry and at the same time farmers’ prices at origin need to be secured,” they ask.
Harvest
In this campaign, Lemon production increased It showed a significant increase compared to last year, increasing by approximately 34%, although it was below the average of the last four harvests.
Thus, approximately 54,437 tons will be produced this year from the approximately 4,500 hectare production area in the state, which was 40,523 tons last year. This means that Málaga represents more than half of the 110.6963 tonnes measured by the Andalusian Board: “Production increased by 5% more than in the previous year,” says the secretary general of UPA Málaga.