Victoria Beckham once said in 2006 that “Spain smells like garlic” and she is still reminded of it. Her comment offended many, but the importance of this product in our gastronomy cannot be denied. Garlic is present in dishes from all autonomous communities, from the typical ajoarriero of Navarra, La Rioja or Cuenca, to garlic soup, whose origin is usually located in Castilla y León. However, Spanish producers of this bulbous plant have long claimed that it is in crisis.
The latest warning was launched by the National Garlic Table at an assembly held in Las Pedroñeras (Cuenca), one of the areas of the country where this ingredient is most cultivated. At this meeting it was estimated that this year there will be a decrease in the planted area of around 16% compared to the previous campaign. Andalusia is the most affected, since the plantations dedicated to this product have decreased significantly due to the drought in recent years.
Miguel del Pino pointed out to EFE a few weeks ago that the 20,926 hectares planned for planting in this campaign represent a decrease of 9,000 hectares in four years, from the 29,826 that were actually planted in 2021, which was the highest in recent years. .
The lack of profitability for the farmer, the difficulties he has in finding labor and the limitations of access to water are some of the causes that explain this reduction in the planted area and that have been exposed at the meeting.
On the other hand, fungal problems are being detected, such as penicillium, "which is thought to be accentuated by the high temperatures recorded in January, which were unusual for the time of year," del Pino added.
The use of phytosanitary products was also analyzed at the meeting, since the shortage of active materials for the control of broadleaf grasses and diseases is increasing costs exponentially due to a decrease in production. At the same time, this is hindering the proper development of the crop.
Another fact that has been highlighted at the National Garlic Table is that, although the price of this product has increased, this does not benefit producers much, who must face high production costs.
The difficult situation that garlic is going through has been transferred to the provincial delegate of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development in Cuenca, Rodrigo Fernández, who has been asked for help to improve the conditions that are making the crop less competitive.
