Beet production in Spain has dropped by about 40% in 2015. The main reason for this is the reduction in plantings because of the low demand registered in 2014 due to the Russian ban, according to Juan Antonio Sánchez, manager of Cooperativa Frusana. This season, the acreage has been reduced by 30%.
"In 2014 there was a great harvest, but demand was much lower, so growers this year have chosen to be more cautious." Russia is a traditional consumer of this product, and thus most of the production is shipped to this country.
According to Juan Antonio Sánchez, the drop in production is taking a toll on prices, which are higher than usual. There is also a lack of produce with the right calibres, and this eventually affects consumers, with shortages at supermarkets and other stores.
Other products, such as leeks and carrots, are suffering similar situations caused by reductions in the acreage this season.
The impact on international trade will also soon be felt. As a result of the product shortages, companies will be less likely to export.
The last factor in this chain of unfavourable circumstances has been the abundant rainfall, which has caused product shortages at the start of the campaign.