Avocado producers in Michoacán announced a national strike for next Tuesday, October 14, in protest of the low prices facing the so-called “green gold” in the national and international markets. The call, which has been extended nationwide, includes a call to suspend all activities related to the production, marketing, and distribution of avocados, including their sale, purchase, and transportation, until further notice.
The organizers of the movement announced that in addition to the strike, a rally will be held in Morelia, scheduled for 10:00 a.m., at two strategic points: in front of the Government House and in front of the Cathedral. The mobilization seeks to highlight the economic crisis facing producers due to the collapse of export and domestic market prices, as well as high production costs and pressure from intermediaries.
In the Michoacán Congress, Vicente Gómez Núñez, a local representative for Tacámbaro, said he didn’t know if producers in his district would participate in the national strike, although he acknowledged that the economic situation for avocado growers is critical. “They haven’t told me about whether they will join the national strike, but I think logically they might, because the price is really low,” the legislator stated. Gómez Núñez explained that a kilogram of avocado for export currently sells for 20 pesos and for domestic prices for eight pesos, when at their peak prices they reached 55 and 25 pesos, respectively.
The legislator considered that market conditions have driven producers to a point of desperation, as profits are minimal and many small farmers are on the verge of bankruptcy. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if they joined the protest, because the situation is unsustainable,” he warned. The strike aims to pressure the federal government to review pricing mechanisms and export policies, which, according to producers, primarily benefit intermediaries and large retailers.
Source: elindependiente
