On Monday, the president of the National Federation of Fruit Growers (FNF), Marcos Leon Guinand, asked the national government to increase the prices of oranges, because at present, he said, they didn't cover costs.
During a press conference held at the College of Lawyers of Valencia, Leon asked that the cost of 3.17 bolivars per kilo were increased to 4.73, with a 30% profit margin, which would represent a final price of 6.15 Bs, since, according to the producers' perception, production costs rose by over 50% in the last six months.
The manager said that Venezuela produces about 600,000 tons of oranges a year. Of these, he added, the industry requires, at its best, 180,000 tons, so the country has the potential to export this fruit.
He said this agricultural sector generated more than 90,000 direct jobs and 210,000 indirect jobs. He also argued that the citrus import licenses approved by the National Executive threatened the stability of families engaged in this trade, especially in Carabobo and Yaracuy regions where more than 90% of this fruit is grown.
Moreover, Leon requested the beginning of the orange harvest, scheduled for November this year, be confirmed so as to ensure their respective placement in the market and avoid losses, like the ones that occurred last year and that amounted to 50,000 tons.
Source: ultimasnoticias.com.ve