An increase in production boosted by fine weather conditions has led to a fall in returns for salads growers in Almeria for the first four months of the season.

Producer-exporter association Coexphal has found that returns fell by 22 per cent during the September-December 2005 period compared to the previous year.

Capsicum values fell 33 per cent, aubergine 18 per cent and tomato 22 per cent. Meanwhile volumes rose 18, 21 and 12 per cent respectively. The only high point is courgette which has seen values rise by four cent as volumes fell by two per cent.

Tomato production in other Spanish regions such as Alicante and Murcia has risen by 30 and 12 per cent respectively which has also made life difficult for Almeria’s growers.

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