increases markets provincial sale tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, zucchini, apples, plums and citrus from Foreign -South Africa, North Africa and South America- Price:%s and lead Alicante farmers to ruin. The price fluctuations of fruits and vegetables imported from third countries are very volatile and subject to fluctuations in stock market speculation, supply and demand, and shipping costs. However, tomatoes Turkey It is sold to distribution chains 235% cheaper than Spanish and 204% cheaper than Moroccan. for onions Egypt, Turkey and Senegal You pay 1,386% more Spain, by more than one euro/kilo compared to seven cents of the market price in their country of origin. in plum Brazil, Chile and South Africa, the increase was 808%, from 0.38 to 3.45 euro/kilo; in northern garlic Senegal and Egypt the increase was 785%, from 0.65 to 5.75 euros/kilo, with lemons from South Africa. Argentina The price goes from 0.31 to 2.30 Euro/kilo, offering a difference of 642%.
The same thing happens with oranges and lemons, but the biggest problem is concentrated in citrus fruits imported from the African continent. The price of a kilo of South African oranges ranges from 1.30-1.50 €/kg, which represents a margin of 1,900% of the price paid to the originating producer.
However, paradoxically, the prices are sometimes not as advantageous to the consumer as the domestic product, and the reason is very simple. The profit margin is usually between the representatives that make up the food chain: department stores, marketing platforms and distribution companies. That’s why experts recommend that you always look at the origin of the label or on the vendor’s informative posters before purchasing fruit and vegetables.
Most of the products coming from abroad can only compete with domestic products in price. phytosanitary quality and safety -fertilizers and water in good conditions- were largely left behind by the arrivals from Alicante. With these parameters it is impossible for them to compete with e.l Muchamiel tomato and Daniela tomato, Verna and Pino lemons, Navelina oranges, Marcona almonds, Planeta, Larguera and Comuna, Peanut squash, Aledo grapes, Garnacha, Merlot, Mollar pomegranate, sweet potato and Villena leek garlic. Therefore, the agricultural sector of the province continues to demand effective measures from the public authorities to stop the “invasion” of imported products without the necessary guarantees for the consumer, which additionally drives down farm prices and accelerates crop abandonment and famine. of the generation relaxation for zero cost effectiveness agricultural enterprises.
globalization
Globalization. For farmers in the province, the main burden the Alicante countryside is exposed to comes from globalization, as not all countries play by the same rules in the common food market. Another factor we should add in this area is the lack of water and increased production costs. that the world is one global village It brings more inconvenience than advantages for the Spanish primary sector due to the lack of common regulations that apply equally to all fruit and vegetable products. in countries with European Union Farmers must comply with a long list of food safety standards, restrictions on the use of phytosanitary products, rights to work and wages, and significant restrictions on exports. However, the same is not true for developing countries on other continents that sell their products in European markets. covered in economic agreements that actually seek to achieve strategic advantages In other economic sectors, European authorities are comfortable in controlling imported fruits and vegetables. Farmers from Alicante condemn this as such and give as an example the fact that there are some insecticides whose use is prohibited. banned In Spain, however, it is used in countries that sell its products harvest in Spanish markets. In addition to the risk it brings, public healthThere are horticultural products promoted pests It had never been produced before in the Spanish countryside.
famine
“We the lucky ones because in Mediterrenian we have the best climate the world to cultivate. Our farm products are simply the best in taste and are therefore highly valued internationally. But for many years, European farmers have been persecuted by the agricultural policies imposed by Europe. Brussels trying to destroy the primary sector and make us dependent Third World. And this is an absolute mistake, and could bring serious problems of famine, as demonstrated by the coronavirus pandemic and the current war in Ukraine,” warns Pedro Rubira, head of Asaja in Novelda and member of the provincial leadership of the agricultural union, insisting on a thought that has been voiced for years: “to eat the gold of the future and there will be water”.
A clear example of this is the Spanish potato. “It’s the best in all of Europe, but almost the entire harvest is sold abroad. And paradoxically we get French potatoes, 80% of which come from Egypt and the quality is questionable,” Rubira explains. , self-criticizing: “unfortunately, there are also European producers who have chosen to take advantage of the loopholes and errors introduced by the import system to outsource their business to Third World countries to grow their crops more cheaply.” In this context, beans follow a growing expansion process. Morocco.
falling trade balance
In this context, it is normal for the global economic value of agriculture in Alicante to decline by 11% over the past two years, despite the slight overall improvement in prices of origin received by farmers. However, a slight rebound failed to balance the two main hurdles that tipped the balance to the negative: the disastrous lemon campaign with approximate loss in Vega Baja. 110 million euros compared to 2019-2020; disproportionate increase in costs producing. Regarding the economic value of productions, according to Asaja’s last annual balance, the agricultural sector increased from 522 million Euros in 2020 to 464 million Euros in 2021, representing a decrease of 11%.
trend change
The agricultural sector perceives a trend change in the entry of fruit and vegetable products into the provincial markets in recent months. Imports by sea are slowing down due to high prices. gas. Business is starting to stop being profitable for large exporting companies. And to this must be added the additional problem faced by farmers in developing countries where it is no longer profitable to protect their crops. Half a kilo of lemon from South Africa is sold for 1.29 euros. Agents only at this price food chain. The same thing that happened to the Valencians when they stopped the harvest a year ago is happening to the South African villagers. Orange from collecting for working at a loss.
“The solution to our import problem is falling under its own weight thanks to rising fuel prices, but we are facing a very difficult year. 50% less harvest almost everything,” says the president of the Asaja Young Farmers union, next fall this will mean a decrease in the average consumption of families.
For this reason, it is necessary to return to old customs and commit to consuming local products in their natural seasons. Pedro Rubira finally gave a warning to the leaders of the agricultural sector in Brussels, “What is the need to eat the watermelon they brought from Brazil in winter?” he asks: “agricultural policies, traditional farmer. It will not always be possible to import fruit and vegetables from other countries to Europe, so we may experience serious difficulties. famine issues“. Recently the central government asked Spanish primary sector Plant cereals and sunflowers because of the war in Ukraine, precisely the farmers of European policies “endangered species”.