Growers in south-eastern Spain are abandoning their fields as the economic crisis bites.
According to the Asaja Murcia association, at least 10 per cent of land is no longer in production because of a lack of profitability.
The group is calling on the Spanish national government to extend support to producers to help ensure that more growers do not leave the sector, which is a major economic driver in the region.
“If not, we could see abandonment reach 25 to 30 per cent in a very short period of time,” it said in a statement.
