The Malaga countryside is making noise again, this time led by the region’s farmers. Three thousand kilos of lemons were handed out to passersby as a public show of solidarity against the unfair prices seen in the citrus market. In Malaga, the action unfolded as an unscheduled lemon market in Marina Square, organized by the Small Farmers Union (UPA). The message was clear: producers face a harsh squeeze. They point out costs rise at the farm gate, yet buying prices from the industry plummet. It costs roughly 35 cents to produce a kilo, while buyers elsewhere are paying as little as 10 cents. Transportation fees to the industry further erode earnings, and consumers end up paying premium prices at large retailers, between 2 and 2.10 euros per kilo, according to Francisco Moscoso, the Málaga state secretary for UPA. The protest highlights a widening gap between farmgate costs and consumer prices, a pattern that jeopardizes livelihoods across the citrus sector. Source: EFE.
The scene was described as an impromptu lemon market at Malaga’s Marina Square. The union frames the issue this way: a major problem with citrus fruits, with the production cost at about 35 cents per kilo but industry buyers offering only 10 cents. In many cases, producers must cover transport to the industry. The outrage centers on the fact that consumers see higher prices in stores—often around 2 euros or more per kilo. Francisco Moscoso, the UPA Málaga state secretary, voices the concern on behalf of growers who feel squeezed by pricing structures that keep profits well below production costs. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between farm gate realities and retail margins.
A Malaga farmer described the pressure firsthand: around 100,000 kilos of lemons remain unsold. With production costs near 35 kuruş per kilo, sales to the industry at 10 kuruş per kilo leave growers struggling to break even. The farmer expressed frustration and resignation, noting that such pricing patterns cannot sustain a family business or rural livelihoods. Source: EFE.
Representing prices as a real ruin, another producer cried out that lemons were being given away because no buyers could be found at sustainable rates. The farmers argue that a fair market would ensure some living profit, not just survival. They insist that the value of the harvest should reflect the actual effort and costs of picking, packing, and transporting fruit to markets. Source: EFE.
From UPA’s perspective, the sales fee needs to reflect reality and not erode farm income. The union contends that producers deserve compensation that covers more than just the cost of production. The aim is to allow farmers to earn a reasonable living while continuing to support the rural economy and national food security. What is happening in Malaga is framed as a broader issue of affordability and sustainability for agricultural communities that rely on citrus crops as a cornerstone of their income.
The union also pressed for action from public authorities to monitor and regulate pricing at origin. They called on the administration, the central government, and the regional Junta of Andalusia to step in and secure supply chain prices at the farm gate. The demand is for transparent pricing practices and enforcement of rules designed to prevent price manipulation that harms farmers while harming local economies. Source: EFE.
The Malaga lemon event added a visual element to the debate, symbolizing the broader crisis facing rural producers. A farmer at the scene stated that ruralization in Malaga Province is a destructive trend, underscoring the economic torque on farm families when markets fail to reward hard work.
Yet the protest was not merely about protest. It was also a call for policy action. UPA urged public institutions to actively monitor prices and safeguard farm income at origin. Andalusia’s government levels were asked to coordinate a response that protects producers while also balancing consumer needs. The sentiment was that price protections should be as robust as possible to guarantee farmers a fair return for their labor. Source: EFE.
A press summary at the end of the day framed the event as a dramatic illustration of citrus market pressures in the region. Malaga’s lemon campaign included a distribution effort that highlighted the disconnection between production costs and market prices, calling for a system that recognizes and rewards agricultural labor. Source: EFE.
Harvest
In this campaign the lemon harvest shows growth. Production rose noticeably compared with the prior year, climbing by roughly 34 percent, though it did not reach the four-year average. The trend points to a robust season for growers, with favorable yields balancing against market pressures that still need attention.
This year’s production is projected to reach about 54,437 tons from approximately 4,500 hectares of cultivation, up from last year’s 40,523 tons. The Malaga region accounts for more than half of the 110,696 tonnes recorded by the Andalusian Board. The growth rate is reported as about 5 percent above the previous year, according to the Málaga UPA secretary general, who notes that higher yields reflect improvements in farming practices even as market prices remain a concern for producers. Source: EFE.