Seville is the largest producer of tomatoes and peppers for the industry in Spain and their production is endangered by the lack of guarantees regarding the availability of irrigation water, which could affect 6,200 of the 6,400 hectares dedicated to both products in the province.
According to Diego Bellido, COAG’s national head of processed foods, they had already experienced this situation -which affected the main agri-food companies established in the province, such as Cooperativa las Marismas, Conesa, and Tomsur- in the previous campaign, but to a lesser extent.
The tomato represents more than 130 million euro for the province, as well as more than 8 million euro in wages, and some 20 million euro in transport, sowing, and other investments, he said.
In addition, some companies are also looking for land in Cádiz, Huelva, or Portugal to fulfill contracts with companies such as Heinz Orlando. "This would be the second campaign that we face this issue, which is forcing agri-food companies to leave the province."
Source: agrodiario.com