Buenos Aires fruit‑veg growers protest, demand emergency status

Small fruit‑vegetable producers from the cordón frutihortícola of Buenos Aires province staged a "verdurazo y florazo" protest outside the provincial legislature in La Plata, delivering a petition that asks for a formal "Emergencia Productiva". The demonstration was organised by the Association of Medianeros and Afines (ASOMA), the National Peasant Federation (FNC), the Union of Workers of the Popular Economy (UTEP) and the Movement of Excluded Workers (MTE). Participants said this is the worst season in more than two decades, with Albina Vides stating, “Hace más de 20 años no nos ha tocado una temporada tan mala”.

The growers blame falling sales, sharply lower farm‑gate prices and soaring input costs – especially those priced in dollars – for mounting debts that threaten the survival of many family farms. They warned that "la situación de las familias trabajadoras de la tierra es angustiante". Their demands include a declaration of emergency, subsidies for production and fuel, a differentiated electricity tariff for agriculture, state purchase of their harvest, access to fiscal land and tax relief. The organisations said authorities will meet with them next week to discuss possible measures.