According to estimates by the Union of Small Farmers (UPA), mango production in the Axarquia region has fallen this campaign by around 85% due to the lack of water, and avocado production by around 60%. This drastic decrease in production will cause losses of millions this season, stated Francisco Moscoso, the general secretary of UPA Malaga.
Moscoso said that little by little more resources were coming in from the Velez-Malaga and Torrox treatment plants, and that they hoped that the works of the Rincon de la Victoria wastewater treatment plant would be completed as soon as possible for its use. In summer, Velez contributes just over 300,000 cubic meters per month and Torrox 65,000 cubic meters are used to irrigate some 3,500 hectares. However, "the biggest issue we have right now is that the reclaimed water that is being used to irrigate crops doesn't have the most optimal conditions," he said.
Since there's little harvest, the quality of the mango and avocado is magnificent. However, since the production is so low, the product will come from abroad, which will significantly harm producers.
"We are tired of denouncing the ridiculous prices we are being paid for these products. At the beginning of August, the mango was well paid, as producers were paid above 2 euro. However, as September approaches the average price already ranges between 1.40 and 1.50 euro," he said.
"Next month, prices paid to producers will continue to fall. Meanwhile, prices paid by consumers almost quadruple what producers are paid," he added.
UPA has complained that the Food Chain Law is not being complied with in the subtropical products sector and highlighted that only the implementation of the existing legislation could solve this serious abuse-in-prices-at-origin issue.
UPA said that, as a result of this situation and the drought, producers are not being profitable and could stop growing mangoes and avocados. Consumers would then have to purchase lower-quality products from third countries at very unreasonable prices.
Source - https://www.freshplaza.com
