Spain asks EU to add melons and watermelons to emergency measures
Spain's Federation of Fruit, Vegetable, Flower and Live Plant Grower Exporter Associations (FEPEX) has requested that melons and watermelons be added to the EU's list of crops to receive emergency funding in the wake of Russia's import ban.
On Monday the EU announced a budget of €125 million (US$167 million) to financially support certain items in the fruit and vegetable sector.
On the current list of crops are tomatoes, carrots, white cabbage, peppers, cauliflowers, cucumbers, gherkins, mushrooms, apples, pears, red fruits, table grapes and kiwifruit.
FEPEX says Spain's direct exports of melons and watermelons to Russia totaled 825 metric tons (MT) in 2013. The figure reaches 7,143MT in community exports, which includes an 'important volume' of Spanish origin products.
The organization claims that as a result of the Russian embargo there will be serious disturbances in all markets characterized by low prices, severely damaging the development of a difficult campaign.
"FEPEX believes the scope of the regulations announced by the European Commission on August 18, which came into effect on that day, should include all products affected by the crisis," the association said in a statement.
"The inclusion of melons and watermelons would contribute to balancing the markets for these products, and consequently to developing a final campaign free of any serious disruptions."
To view our entire coverage on the Russian import ban, click here.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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