Water availability is one of the biggest challenges facing Murcian producers according to Juan Marín Bravo, president of grower-exporter association Proexport.
In a speech given during the organisation’s general assembly, which took place in Murcia on Friday, Marín said the uncertainty caused by the lack of water should act as a spur for the industry, driving it towards greater efficiency to ensure that it continued to generate employment for the region.
“Whether they will have enough water to irrigate their crops next season is a question that preoccupies all producers, big and small,” Bravo said.
He called on all political parties in Murcia to unite in order to safeguard the region’s future water supply, warning that the alternative would result in the imposition of water restrictions and quotas that would lead to a loss of business.
Marín pointed out that there was little point in the industry demanding better logistics or wider access to new markets unless it first resolved the water problem. “All these things are important, but without water, we don’t have a future,” he said.
During the meeting, Marín, who also runs grower-exporter Campo de Lorca, was re-elected as president of Proexport for a third term.
Proexport brings together 51 companies and 28 producer organisations who between them produce around 1m tonnes of fruits and vegetables a year to more than 40 countries.
