Spain: Potato producers in Burgos concerned about drops in price

Potato producers from the Spanish municipality of Tardajos, one of the largest potato producers, are concerned about the price drops affecting this product, which has gone from 15 cents to just 13 cents per kilo. This has raised alarm amongst the region's producers, as they witness how their prices keep falling while supermarkets and other large stores constantly increase them.

This week, Tardajos organised the 18th Potato Exaltation Fair; an event that serves to promote the benefits of consuming the tuber and analyse the sector's situation. On this occasion, the fair brought together dozens of neighbours, as it hosted seven stands from various producers, all residents of the town.

The event was also used as a platform for producers to express their main concerns regarding the difficulties which lie ahead for 2013; "The harvest will arrive late because everything is still too green," declared one of the town's growers.

In addition to the delays in the harvest, there has also been an increase in the price of pesticides and other products needed by growers for the tuber's cultivation. "The cost of the products we need is higher than the profit we make," stated another grower, who is afraid "If nothing changes, this will not be profitable any more. The activity will not disappear, but our profits keep decreasing."

This year's harvest is estimated to reach 300,000 tonnes in the province of Burgos, compared to the more than 450,000 tonnes of previous campaigns.

Source: Elcorreodeburgos.com