Spain: The Valencian new potato is in a complicated situation due to market saturation caused by imports.

The Valencian Farmers’ Association (AVA-ASAJA) is warning about the market saturation with old potatoes from France, stored in cold storage for months, and with products imported from countries like Egypt. Faced with this problem, the organization is urging commercial operators, greengrocers, and large distribution chains to prioritize local new potatoes, emphasizing that this product offers greater freshness, quality, and food safety compared to imported options. Furthermore, it underscores its importance for sustainability and the preservation of the protected landscape of the Valencia Orchard.

The sector is facing a crisis marked by a drop in production due to heavy rains and a lack of effective phytosanitary tools. Adding to these difficulties are the sustained increase in costs and the challenge of finding seasonal labor, which further exacerbates the lack of profitability for farms. The association also points out that the prices received by farmers have remained stagnant at levels similar to those of thirty years ago, particularly affecting new potatoes from Valencia, which are not receiving the necessary commercial interest to guarantee a successful season.

This critical situation isn’t limited to potatoes, as it also affects other key crops in the region. Warnings had already been issued about falling prices for artichokes and lettuce, and now a disastrous onion season has been added to the mix. Despite the low production caused by downy mildew, onion prices have plummeted to below the cost of production.

AVA-ASAJA concludes that effectively protecting the Valencia orchard requires ensuring the profitability of its agricultural products. It denounces a clear contradiction between political discourse on sustainability and market realities, which do not prioritize local products or support the continuity of agricultural activity in the region.