Colombia: Crisis for potato producers in La Unión, who suffer losses exceeding 50%
Producers of criolla potatoes in the municipality of La Unión, in eastern Antioquia, have raised the alarm due to the severe crisis they are facing due to the fall in the prices of this tuber.
According to farmers, a kilo of potatoes is being sold for between 1,200 and 1,500 pesos, a value well below expectations, which has generated a reduction of more than 50% in their profits.
Sergio Martínez, manager of the Specialized Agricultural Cooperative of La Unión, explained that the situation is worrying, since producers are forced to sell at very low prices due to the oversupply in the large market places. "When other producers arrive with lower prices, we are forced to match them so as not to lose the sale, but that affects us seriously," he said.
For her part, the mayor of La Unión, Carmen Judith Valencia, assured that this problem is not new and that for months there have been difficulties for farmers in the region. Although they hope that the situation will improve in the coming days, producers fear that the crisis will continue and affect their economic stability even more.
The drop in prices of native potatoes is largely due to the oversupply of the product and the lack of regulation in the markets, which leaves producers at a disadvantage compared to intermediaries who seek to buy at the lowest possible cost. In addition, weather conditions have also influenced the production and marketing of the tuber.
Farmers have requested support from the National Government and the Governorate of Antioquia to implement measures to stabilize the price of potatoes and prevent hundreds of families from being affected.
Rains in Medellin complicate the situation
While producers are facing this crisis, the rains this Monday in Medellín have caused concern in several areas of the Aburrá Valley.
According to the Early Warning System, heavy rainfall has caused flooding and the overflow of streams, such as La Ayurá, in the south of the city.
Users on social media reported the rise in the level of the Aburrá-Medellín River, especially at the height of 30th Street, where it was on the verge of overflowing. These rains could further affect potato producers, making the logistics of transporting and distributing the product more difficult.
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