After learning that the Port Authority has asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food to authorize potato imports from Egypt through the Port of Alicante, ASAJA immediately requested an urgent meeting with this body so that it can reconsider its decision in view of the serious consequences it could have on the agricultural sector in Alicante, mainly in the Vega Baja region, Elche, and Alto Vinalopó.
The agricultural organization denounced that this initiative goes against the principle of Community preference (i.e. that goods produced in any EU member state will have preference over those from third countries) and favors unfair competition, the two greatest issues that hinder the profitability of the Spanish countryside.
The President of ASAJA Alicante, José Vicente Andreu, said the potato crop has deep roots in the province and that there are two seasons, the early potato, mainly of the Spunta variety, with light yellow flesh, which is harvested from March to May, approximately, and the winter potato commonly known as "de verdete", the typical potato with soil, available from December to February. This means that this tuber is available for fresh consumption almost all year round, so "there is no need to bring it from abroad, especially from countries that do not comply with the same phytosanitary regulations we have here."
An example of the damage caused by the entry of fruit and vegetable products from third countries is what happened to the pumpkin and sweet potato from the Vega Baja. In the last season, producers from the region suffered significant economic losses due to the massive entry of these products from Africa, which reduced the marketing options for Alicante farmers who had to compete with very low prices, below production costs.
For more information: alicanteasaja.com