Low prices nationwide
A very good spring and a summer with little rainfall guide the reality of a sector that is in clear growth in the department as a result of some policies that landed at the hands of the General Directorate of the Farm.
The main problem for producers is given by the difference between the purchase of inputs in Dollars and the sale of production in pesos. In addition, the recent devaluation of the Brazilian currency is added to this border area.
“We had a very favorable spring from a climatic point of view. Now at the beginning of summer the rains have stopped, which has a major impact on intensive farm crops. It is expected that there will be no rain until near the end of January. That worries a little, but the crops are already established. It costs more for more recent plantations. “These are the risks that those of us who dedicate ourselves to horticultural production throughout the country always run.” illustrated Alfredo Olivera to THE DIARY PROFESSIONAL.
“We have extensive plantations of sweet potatoes that are good. “On a general level, the production is good, it is of good quality” he assured. “What is not so good are the prices. At the country level they are quite weak” lament. “With the rise of the Dollar, we who are buyers in Dollars and sell in Pesos get a little complicated. Here on the border we have our main competitor, which is Brazil. That’s why everything always makes it more difficult for us.” said the Cerro Largo producer.
“We must also take into account that Brazil went through a devaluation. If that had not happened, prices today were very balanced. After the devaluation, it became quite complicated to sell in the middle, especially that more farm-based, more extensive production, as well as tomatoes and bell peppers.” he detailed.
“At the country level we have a price crisis that is below production standards. Having had a very favorable spring, there is a lot of supply and since demand is always the same, prices are often below costs” Olivera explained.
The member of the MAF Board of Directors said that they are circumstances or moments that are always latent in this sector of national production.
REPAIRED GREENHOUSES
He confirmed that 2 of the 3 Macro Tunnels that had been destroyed by the wind on Friday, December 6, have already been repaired. “There is only one producer left so they can come and rebuild the structure” he stated.
“Now we have to continue working and always betting that this will improve. Those of us who are in the activity know that it always has ups and downs” he pointed out.
EFFECTS OF LOW TEMPERATURES
He informed THE DIARY PROFESSIONAL that the marked drops in temperature in the afternoon that last until the morning of the next day affect horticultural production.
“It has been seen that the sweet potato in recent days, where the temperature has risen a little, has extended the guideline a little more. Those cold days of December the crop was very withdrawn” expressed Alfredo Olivera.
“On the contrary, green is good for you” he assured. “Lettuce, chard and parsley have turned out very well because there has not been much evaporation during the days and nights” said the horticultural producer from Cerro Largo.
