Potato producers in Castilla y León seek stable prices

Potato producers in the regions of Burgos and Palencia, specifically in areas such as Valle de Valdelucio, Tozo, and Valdivia, are concluding their harvest season. Producers report that while the current situation is relatively stable, prices must remain between 30 and 40 cents per kilo to ensure the viability of farms.

José Daniel Bravo, a producer from Villaescobedo and member of the Santa Isabel cooperative, noted that prices as low as 16 cents per kilo do not cover production costs. He highlighted that sowing a single hectare can cost approximately 8,000 euros, excluding labor. Bravo expressed concern that intermediaries, rather than farmers, often dictate the final prices.

The harvest faced challenges this year due to excessive heat in July and heavy rains earlier in the month, which delayed the collection process. Yields are expected to average around 30,000 kilos per hectare, a decrease compared to the previous campaign's performance.