Since last week, growers in Almeria, Spain, have stopped picking eggplant and pepper until prices are at least restored.

“Harvesting eggplant costs us money,” says the farmer, who saw that the price of eggplant fell below 25 cents. “We can no longer look at how much money we make with our own hands, and we want our efforts to be evaluated and rewarded.”

Jose Antonio Arcos, one of the farmers, commented on the situation: “The view of the mountains of eggplant enriched with a pile of yellow pepper in Spain immediately reminds us of the same scenes earlier this year. At that time, it was about overproduction of cucumbers at the most inopportune moment. ”

Some Spanish growers decided not to grow melons this year, which allowed them to start growing peppers earlier. In addition, in any case, an additional planting would be carried out at the expense of tomatoes, the cultivation area of ​​which was again slightly reduced.

To put an end to the bad market situation, the Spanish horticultural associations COAG, Asaja and UPA, the Coexphal cultivation association and the Ecohal trade association have joined forces. A demonstration will take place in Almeria on November 19.

According to organizations, unfair competition from other countries should be stopped, and a special crisis management fund should be created for the entire industry.

In addition, they urgently call for European rules designed to prevent retailers from dictating prices.