The Canary Islands Farmers and Ranchers Association (ASAGA Canarias ASAJA) has denounced the delicate situation that the tomato sector is experiencing in the Canary Islands. As reported, in the last quarter, 90% of the productions at the points of sale come from abroad. From the association they show their concern about the decline of the tomato sector in the islands and fear that this situation will end up making an activity with more than 135 years of history disappear on which 3,500 families currently depend directly.
The tomato sector has repeatedly alerted the Government of the Canary Islands that it is urgent “to seek alternatives and make effective decisions to prevent their disappearance.” Their demands are focused on summoning and perceiving the POSEI supports in a timely manner, including Action 1.9 to adapt to the markets, which is designed to offset the effects of Brexit, receive and increase the funds intended to alleviate part of the losses caused by the pandemic and establish the strategies to be applied for those who choose to reconvert and diversify activity.
The most expensive crop
The producers also maintain that the tomato is the most expensive crop to produce and the one with the most health incidents (pests and diseases such as Tuta Absoluta or mildew) and, even so, is the one “that receives the least compensation for its production and marketing compared to other agricultural products.”
If the situation does not improve, they warn that “neither those who have been cultivating all their lives, nor those who want to continue, nor the new ones who join in the future will want to dedicate themselves to this sector, exports will end and, in the domestic market, Canaries will end up consuming 100% of the tomato from outside “.
Decline factors
As highlighted by the Association, the last decade the Canary Islands tomato sector has been subjected to multiple factors that have placed it in a delicate situation. The exorbitant increase in production costs that it has not been possible to affect the sale prices to the consumer, the unfair competition of tomato productions from Morocco, the appearance of new viruses that damage the crop, the application of Brexit and COVID have worsened the competitiveness of companies and farmers dedicated to this crop, as reported.
–
