Watermelon prices at origin plunge

Watermelon consumption is usually linked to the heat, but despite the high temperatures, both in Spain and in the rest of Europe, the market is actually not very dynamic at the moment. In this regard, LA UNIÓ de Llauradors (Growers' Association) reports a collapse in prices at origin, and in some areas, like Camp de Túria or L'Horta, black or white seedless watermelons reach ridiculous figures of up to 0.07 Euro/kg.

In the worst case scenario, that of black watermelons with seeds, there are actually no official prices and the fruit is left unharvested. Melons are not faring much better and the prices at origin stand at an average of 0.12 Euro/kilo.

Potatoes, both white and red, are also in a dire situation, failing to exceed 0.08 Euro/kilo in the producing area of ​​Camp de Turia. Much of the crop is actually rotting from the heat and is commercially useless. Onions are almost in the exact same situation. Both potatoes and onions had decent prices a couple of weeks ago, but they have already dropped considerably.

Pepe Serra, vegetable producer and district secretary of LA UNIÓ in Camp de Turia, said that "with these prices and the alarming lack of profitability it is difficult to ensure a generational change in the agricultural sector, so it is not surprising that one third of the cultivated land has disappeared in Camp de Turia over the past twenty years."

Furthermore, these crops, unlike citrus, do not even receive financial aid from the European Union. Watermelon producers must consequently survive right now with a meagre 7 cents per kilo.