The Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of the Region of Murcia (Fecoam) is warning that the drop in broccoli production this campaign will make it very hard for the sector to cover the great demand from consumers all over Europe. The organisation blames the high prices being paid in the last two weeks to the low harvest volumes, between 50 and 70% lower than in previous years. The Christmas rush is also around the corner.
The drop in production this campaign is due to the terrible prices that were being paid in the last two seasons, which led many growers to abandon the crop and others to plant fewer acres.
Fecoam points out that a supply collapse has taken place in the last few weeks, forcing cooperatives and agricultural firms to pay insane prices, of over three Euro per kilo, to supply the needs of their clients, especially in England.
Despite the fact that broccoli prices have been very high in the last few weeks, Murcia's producers have not been able to benefit from them due to lack of production. The sector is expected to begin recovering this week, with prices back to more normal levels, although the lack of supply will probably still be noticeable until the Spring arrives.
Source: Fecoam