Prices of agricultural products from field to warehouse increase up to 10 times

Tractor units became the main heroes of the week on many roads in the country. Also in Alicante, where farmers regularly demonstrate outside major professional organizations through social networks. However, AVA-Asaja, Asaja Alicante, COAG and La Unió plan to organize a major day of protest on the 16th, with the cutting of the A-7 motorway near Orihuela and the A-31 motorway in Villena. In short, actions that highlight the discontent existing in the sector, which has decided to take to the streets to demand changes that will increase the profitability of agricultural activities.

One of the most important demands directed to the Central Government is the following: Food Chain Law reformIt is a regulation that was introduced to prevent the wages farmers receive from being below the cost of production, but is not very effective in practice. And even more so in a context where costs have recently increased due to increases in water and salary costs, among other factors. This is expressed by José Vicente Andreu, president of Asaja Alicante, who does not hesitate to point out: “The law does not work. Payments were made within 30 days, but people continue to pay below the production costs the industry needs. “Strengthening inspections is absolutely necessary.”

Vega gives the example of the lemon he produces in Baja. “It costs us 30 cents a pound to produce them, and at best they pay us 17 cents,” he laments. And this applies to those of the right size that can be sold in supermarkets. When it comes to the smallest ones, those meant for industry, he explains: “There came a time when they didn’t want them or didn’t give them away because of the surplus, so farmers had to pay crews to throw them away.” soil and ensure at least next year’s harvest.

And in fact, the situation with lemons is the most devastating, not only because of what the farmer gets, but also because of the price increase recorded from the field to the supermarkets, with intermediate steps such as handling and transportation. According to the price observatory run by Asaja, Lemons go from 17 cents per tree to around 1.70 euros in stores.

However, this is not the only striking situation. The Mollar bomb costs 30 cents to produce and is paid for only 35 cents, then sold for 2 euros. Something similar happens to oranges, which cost 30 cents to produce, cost 32 cents and reach supermarkets at 1.89 euros. Yields are increasing for other crops, although there are equally profound differences between field and store. This is the case of broccoli, which cost 40 cents and paid for 92 cents, reaching 2.70 euros in the store. The price of cauliflower is 50 cents per piece to farmers, while cauliflower pays 80 cents before it reaches the selling price of 1.99 euros. The production cost of the artichoke is 70 kuruş, 93 kuruş is paid, and in the store it is 4 euros.

In short, as Roque Bru, a molar pomegranate producer in Elche, points out, it is the price differences that make the industry angry. In his own words, “In previous years, they were paying us 50 kuruş, but this year they are paying 35 kuruş because the heat affected the fruits a little.” However, he emphasizes that what bothers him the most is the price difference between supermarkets and that it is “up to 400%”. We don’t know where in the chain this is, but the reality is that the gap is too big and we can’t continue like this.».

Pedro Reig, manager from the Association of Supermarkets of the Valencian Community (Asucova), agrees that food chain laws must be observed and explains that many actors, starting with farmers and continuing, intervene in this. conversion, transportation and distribution. «The process must be sustainable and all parties must receive adequate remuneration, he explains. “So we will have to analyze what is happening with a scalpel and take appropriate measures to solve it.” But he also notes that “we are not in the spotlight” by using data from the Ministry of Agriculture. Sales margins in the food trading chain fell for two quartersThe contractions experienced during the energy crisis could not be reversed. On the other hand, the same report shows that agriculture will already be at higher levels than before the pandemic.

Third World

This data is not shared by farmers, who also demand other issues from community authorities, such as reciprocity in all trade agreements the EU makes with third countries. This is stated by La Unió general secretary Carles Peris, who points out “unfair competition caused by the import of products that do not comply with the standards imposed on us”. Ultimately, it is a combination of factors that brings us to a critical situation.

Additionally, depending on the sector, the following needs arise: Increasing phytosanitary control of production from third countries, to prevent the entry of pests and reduce bureaucracy with a more flexible digital logbook. “This notebook is a real hell, many people do not know how to use it, so much so that it has become the pinnacle of bureaucracy,” emphasizes Pedro Valera, a cauliflower grower from Elche.

All these difficulties, which have increased over the years, have led to a serious decrease in the cultivation area in Alicante province. Special, There are 61,649 hectares of land lost in 20 years, representing 28% of the total area.. Fruit trees stand out with less than 32,166 hectares, vineyards with 14,401 hectares, citrus fruits with 10,178 hectares, and grain with 4,146 hectares. On the other hand, there is now an additional 1,898 hectares in vegetable cultivation and 1,585 hectares in olive groves.