Mallorca farmers squeezed as boats face €1,000 fuel bills

Mallorca farmers say they pay 60% more for fuel than a few months ago, while fishing boats across the Balearics can face a €1,000 fuel bill for one day at sea. Some boats are staying in port during the fishing season. At a meeting on Thursday, 15 October, the Balearic government told farming and fishing groups it could extend and widen its fuel aid.

Fishing boats stay in port

José Antonio Castelló, vice-president of the Balearic fishing association Cofraria de Pescadors de Baleares, says marine diesel has doubled in price. Filling a boat’s tank for a day’s fishing can cost between €800 and €1,000. On some days, he says, the expense could outweigh the catch, so crews have cut back their trips.

The association wants fuel aid to continue beyond the end of the year. It is also asking for fishing associations to be exempt from port fees.

Mallorca farmers press for more help

Sebastià Ordines, of the Mallorca farmers’ union Unió de Pagesos de Mallorca, says some food and farming businesses have suffered losses of around 50% since the war in Iran and the Middle East began. Xisco Salvà, of the farmers’ association Asaja Baleares, says cereal growers are particularly exposed to diesel costs because they work larger areas.

The Balearic government plans a package of measures to tackle rising costs, but has not set out what further help it will offer.

Ordines also wants checks on Mallorca’s hotels. Tourism law requires them to buy at least 3% local produce, but he doubts they are meeting that requirement. He says the Island Council of Mallorca has given his union no figures showing how much local produce hotels actually buy.

Topics: Agriculture · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com