Valencian association laments absurd prices of South African citrus

The Valencian Farmers’ Association (AVA-ASAJA) has complained about the “nonsense” prices currently being fetched by South African citrus in European retailers. After what the association has described as a “ruinous campaign” for Valencian producers, with prices not even meeting production costs at some points, South African citrus is now going for four times the price. The association goes on to claim that the fruit from South Africa is produced under worse socio-labour conditions than those produced in the Valencian Community. It further highlights the risk of pests and diseases such as black spot which is common in South Africa but has not yet reached Europe.