Spain (Salamanca): "With these potato prices, the situation is getting complicated"

The price of diesel continues to rise, and the situation is beginning to cause concern among farmers. "If costs keep climbing like this, the outlook is not at all encouraging," one of them reflects.

Uncertainty is also palpable in the sector due to potential fertilizer supply problems. "People are scared because there are rumors that fertilizer won’t be available. They’re taking it home for fear of running out, but I think that’s the fault of the wholesalers; they already bought it months ago," he adds. On the other hand, he criticizes that "those who sell diesel haven’t even bought it at the current price yet and have already raised the price overnight."

Given this situation, the impact on upcoming plantings seems inevitable. Although this farmer has already planted early potatoes and onions, he says that soil conditions are far from ideal. "The numbers don’t add up; we have to think things through carefully because costs have skyrocketed and our produce is worth less and less," he concludes.

The constant rise in fuel prices further complicates the calculations. For example, for a moldboard plow that previously cost around 70 euros per hectare, an additional 15 to 20 euros would now have to be added just due to the increase in fuel costs, according to a quick calculation by the farmer himself.

To make matters worse, the recent rains are complicating the progress of the irrigation campaign in the area. In Cantalapiedra, work began last week with potato planting, but now the bad weather has forced a halt, and farmers are focusing on maintenance. Yesterday, specifically, he was replacing some discs on a harrow he’ll use to prepare his land. These repairs, done at his own expense, offer a small relief to the tight budgets they have to work with.

Pessimism prevails among farmers in the region. In Cantalpino, for example, the rising price of diesel remains the main topic of conversation. "This year it could cost up to two euros a liter just for irrigation; in the end, it might be better not to plant at all," laments a group of friends, although acknowledging that these are just vague predictions.

Currently, many are forced to rethink which crops to plant in order to try and salvage the season. "Nothing is profitable right now; the only thing that might offer some margin is carrots. Corn, as things stand, yields practically no profit," comments another farmer. Mundo González, who had been farming for some time in towns like Pitiegua and Cantalpino, confesses that he has decided to give it up for good after the last season.

Adding to this problem is the ever-increasing price of fertilizer and diesel. "This is suffocating us," laments José González, who works land in Cantalpino and has decided to significantly reduce the amount of potatoes he will plant this year. "Just look, diesel is now twice the price I paid for the 4,000 liters I bought before," he explains. Although he works alongside his brother in their farming, each manages their own plot of land.