Before the harvest began, signs already pointed to trouble as expected profit losses dragged down production. Yet the truth is that the table grape campaign in the province has deteriorated rather than improved, marking what some call the worst disaster in 30 years. Prices today have not advanced beyond those seen three decades ago. This price drop, coupled with shrinking demand, has driven damages close to 12 million euros and the relentless rise in costs that leaves growers in a tough spot. The industry is urging consumers to choose local products in hopes of reversing the trend.
The cost pressures have contributed to a 14% drop in table grape production, reducing yields to about 36 million kilograms since the campaign started. Notably, the price component has not held steady either; the current price per kilo sits at 0.60 euros, compared with last year’s level above 0.90 euros, an unexpected fall that surprised the sector.
Pepe Bernabeu, head of the Vinalopó Bag of Grapes regulatory board, points to a decline in consumption as the direct cause of the downturn, tied to several factors. On one hand, he explains, temperatures have been higher than normal, which admittedly deterred fruit consumption. But the more significant factor is the difficult economic climate, which pushes people toward cheaper items such as oranges or apples instead of premium grapes. Bernabeu adds that weak consumption is prompting producers to store more grapes than usual in hopes of price recovery around Christmas, especially with the twelve bells in mind.
Costs have risen 30 percent
Enrique Sánchez, head of industry at La Unió, notes that while prices fell, production costs rose by around 30% on average versus the previous campaigns. He states that water costs jumped from 25 cents per cubic meter to 47 cents, fertilizers doubled, and even the paper bags used to cover the clusters grew more expensive. Those increases pushed many producers into a precarious position, with margins squeezed across the supply chain. (Industry analysis, 2024)
High costs have trimmed the Vinalopó bagged grape harvest by about six million pounds, underscoring the financial strain felt across growers and associated workers. The situation has drawn remarks from key industry voices about the need to adapt quickly to shifting market dynamics and consumer priorities. (Asaja, 2024)
Asaja’s representative, José Enrique Sánchez, echoes the overall concern by highlighting weak consumption and a value chain burdened by taxes that compromise profitability. The message from industry groups is clear: a robust push to buy native grapes could help prices rebound and sustain vineyards and the jobs they support. The sector emphasizes the broader economic importance of this crop for the region and the communities that rely on it.
This call to action resonates beyond local growers. Retailers and distributors are urged to highlight locally produced grapes, aligning consumer choices with regional farming and job preservation. The aim is to spark a price reality that reflects actual production costs while maintaining the integrity of the supply chain and supporting farmers through a challenging period. (Local agricultural association, 2024)