Extremadura Tomato Farmers Threaten 2027 Boycott Over Unprofitable Prices

Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura has labeled the region’s current processing tomato campaign as disastrous. Due to sharp yield reductions, low quality penalties, rising input costs, and insufficient contract pricing, the sector is struggling to maintain profitability in what organization leaders call “one of the worst campaigns in recent years.”

According to federation data updated to September 15, total production across Extremadura’s 21,553 contracted hectares dropped between 10% and 11% below the expected 1,989,146 tons. Average yields reached roughly 83,500 kilograms per hectare, falling short of the initial target of 92,290 kilograms per hectare. This downturn marks the second consecutive year of financial losses for local growers.

N.B.: According to the industry, production numbers will not be definitive before October 1^st at the earliest, and other sources have mentioned a 5-6% reduction instead of 10-11%.

Main Causes of the Crisis

The organization attributes the low output primarily to intense heatwaves during June and July. Sustained high temperatures, particularly overnight, prevented tomato plants from recovering physiological function during crucial phases of development. This heat caused widespread pollination failure and resulted in undersized, seedless (parthenocarpic) fruit. Late-season crops suffered the most severe damage as key growing phases coincided directly with peak temperatures.

Climate conditions also reduced the Brix degree (sugar content) of delivered crops, triggering financial penalties. Consequently, while contracts set base prices at 107 euros per ton, actual compensation to farmers dropped to roughly 100 euros per ton. Juan Francisco Blanco, president of the Processing Tomato Working Group, emphasized that these payouts fail to offset input cost increases incurred since signing contracts in February, particularly rising fuel and fertilizer expenses.

Compounding these issues, high heat accelerated pest outbreaks, including the tomato russet mite. Local farmers lacked effective control options after the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food denied emergency authorization for Spirotetramat. Blanco noted that this active ingredient remains authorized in neighboring EU countries like Italy, Portugal, and Greece, placing Extremaduran growers at a competitive disadvantage within the common market.

Insurance Shortfalls

The federation also voiced strong criticism regarding processing tomato crop insurance. High policy premiums are often doubled by ministry-approved surcharge systems. Despite these elevated costs, current policies fail to cover damages from persistent extreme heat, treat high-temperature losses as non-compensable, and feature high deductibles that result in minimal payouts. The federation argues that agricultural insurance must adapt to evolving climate risks to protect farm viability when widespread weather events occur beyond grower control.

Upcoming Actions

Following a meeting of its member cooperatives to evaluate the campaign’s final outcomes, Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura outlined three key steps:

• Production Cost Study: The group will conduct a detailed analysis of actual 2026 production costs. If upcoming contract negotiations do not guarantee prices that cover these costs and secure reasonable margins, the federation will explicitly advise farmers not to plant processing tomatoes in 2027.
• Insurance Overhaul: The organization will push for structural policy changes, including lower surcharges, revised deductibles, and direct coverage for persistent high temperatures.
• Pest Control Re-authorization: They will reapply for emergency phytosanitary authorizations—including Spirotetramat—supported by field trial data from ministry-proposed alternatives.

Without fair pricing, effective pest management tools, and modernized climate insurance, leaders warn that the continuation of key rural farms and regional employment in Extremadura remains severely threatened.

Sources: Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias Extremadura, professional sources