Courgette prices have dropped from 3.50 Euro per kilo to 1.50 Euro per kilo in auctions in only seven days, while aubergines have dropped from 4.20 to 1.90 Euro per kilo.
Although these prices are still reasonably positive, ASAJA-AlmerÃa is concerned about the considerable drop this week, especially in these two products.
The association insists that growers have seen their production reduced by up to 75% because of the cold weather, and the productive process is still slow, so despite the fact that there is no shortage in the markets, consumption in Spain has also dropped significantly in this last week.
Given this situation, ASAJA has approached AICA to ask them to investigate the possible cause of this decline. "We have witnessed some intense pressure to reduce the prices at origin, discouraging the consumption of products like courgettes and aubergines. It would not be surprising if, in a month, these products were used to attract customers to other products, as we see taking place every campaign," points out Provincial President Francisco Vargas.
It is worth recalling that last season, courgettes and aubergines, like other products, closed the campaign with lower prices at origin, which entails a lower income for the producer. In the case of courgettes, this income was 30% lower than in the previous campaign, while aubergines recorded a 21% drop. The prices of these two products were, in fact, the worst of the last four seasons.
The association has once again warned about the dangers of using aggressive marketing campaigns based on selling fruit and vegetables at a loss, as this results in consumers ignoring the true value of these indispensable products.