Valencia growers’ association Ava-Asaja has said this summer’s watermelon season is proving disastrous. Prices paid to growers have fallen to €0.03-0.05 a kilo well below the cost of production at €0.12-0.15.
“Low temperatures in European markets, our main destination for watermelon have been the main cause,” explained Cristóbal Aguado, president of the association. But low prices have not been passed on to consumers, he complained, pointing out that Spanish retailers have been charging €0.40-0.70 a kilo for the fruit. “There is a saturation of supply with excess fruit in store since the beginning of July,” said Aguado. “We need the Spanish government to establish market and crisis management laws in the face of exceptional circumstances in the fruit and vegetable sector, such as the extremely unfavourable weather in Europe this year.”
Acreage under production in Valencia is declining year on year because of the loss of profitability in the sector.
