Oltenia farmers abandon crops due to high costs and low prices

Farmers in the Oltenia region of Romania are abandoning entire fields of watermelons and vegetables due to unprofitability. In the commune of Călărași, local official Sorin Sandu reported that approximately 30% of the first watermelon harvest and nearly 80% of the second harvest have been left to rot in the fields.

The crisis is driven by a combination of low market prices, a lack of buyers, and high labor costs. Harvesting requires significant manpower, with daily wages ranging between 250 and 300 lei per person. For many producers, the cost of hiring the necessary workers—estimated between 1,200 and 1,500 lei per field—exceeds the potential revenue from the sale of the crops.

In addition to watermelons, crops such as peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes are also degrading. High temperatures have further complicated the situation by reducing the shelf life of the produce. Farmers are now preparing to plow under the unharvested plants to clear the land for future cultivation.