Farmers have been paid an average price of 0.20 Euro during the month of May for kilo of watermelon while on the shelves where the consumer purchases this product it has value of 1.20 Euro, which implies that price is multiplied by five, ie. increased by 500% from field to table. These information is shown in the last Price Index between Food Origin and Destination(IPOD) prepared by the Coordinadora de Organizaciones Agrarias (Coag), and the consumer associations UCE and Ceaccu.
The overall index for agricultural products has been established for the period analyzed at 4.84, meaning that the overall value of the food that was tested, including fruits and vegetables grown in Almeria, increased from the field to the table 384%. Andres Gongora, Coag-Almeria provincial secretary says "Analyzing the historic amount accumulated since 2008, the date on which this monthly report began, we can see how consumer prices remain more or less stable, while the margins at the distribution vary depending on the price that is paid at origin for the product."
In the case of watermelon, Andres Gongora remembers that, "last year with the E. coli crisis, a kilo was sold for 0.10 Euro at origin, but on arrival the original prices remained. Thus, the mark-up went through the roof."
Sourc: Ideal