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ARCHIVED - Murcia Agriculture Minister insists there will be no supply shortage
The Minister claims the supply of cereals to the Region “is guaranteed” but that prices will go up
Murcia’s Minister of Agriculture, Antonio Luengo, has this week assured that the supply of cereals and grains needed by the livestock sector “is guaranteed” and that a supply crisis is in no way imminent due to the war in Ukraine, although he did caution that the price of certain essential products is likely to go up.
“With the data on the table, I would not dare to speak of market shortages. I think it's a matter of normalising the situation and putting in place measures to prevent shortages”, he stated after meeting with the leaders of agricultural groups Coag, Asaja and UPA to analyse the consequences of the conflict.
The minister’s comments come after several sectors such as the confectionery industry claimed last week that it only has enough raw materials to keep production going for a month, and hoteliers in the Region complained of shortages of beef.
Despite his reassuring words, Mr Luengo intends to request a strategic plan from the Spanish government, which includes reducing taxes and increasing cereal production. Murcia may well hold the key to any supply chain issues: with almost 180,000 hectares of fallow land, half a million tonnes of additional wheat, barley, oats and corn could be produced in the Region annually.
"If the measures we have proposed are finally taken, we can protect our farmers and ranchers and ensure supply," the minister reiterated.
“We request the maximum reduction of taxes and levies, as well as fiscal measures to help the sector, especially with regard to the price of electricity, hydrocarbons, fertilizers, gas and raw materials”.
The regional president of Coag, José Miguel Marín, stated last week that farmers were already preparing a contingency plan that involved sacrificing heads of cattle due to the lack of cereal from Ukraine, however, after conferring with the minister, he has conceded that the “solution to the problem seems to be on the right track.”
“Two weeks ago, agricultural organisations asked the EU to make grain imports from the United States, Canada, Brazil and Argentina more flexible, and it seems that the European Commission is acting quickly to save the peak,” Mr Marín confirmed, adding that there will be no shortage if these plans are followed through.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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