According to the COAG farmer’s union, the potato farming sector in the region of Murcia is reportedly facing its worst crisis in a decade, with agriculturalists unable to sell their crops at pre-agreed prices and forced to offload spuds at a loss as purchasers renege on the deals originally agreed.
COAG attribute the low prices to the actions of major purchasers such as supermarket chains, who are pushing market prices down as they attempt to increase market share and forcing washing and treatment plants to buy from farmers at the lowest price possible. As a result, it is reported that although pre-planting prices were agreed with agriculturalists at an average of 42 cents per kilo sales are now being made at just 18 cents, lower than the average production cost of 22 cents per kilo.
However, spanishnewstoday.com reports that, from a consumer point of view, the good news is that cheap potatoes mean an inexpensive opportunity.