The Bundesfachgruppe Gemüsebau (BfG) in the Zentralverband Gartenbau e. V. (Central Horticultural Association) is drawing attention to the increasingly dramatic situation in primary production.
"Not least because of Corona, the importance of both domestic production and a high degree of self-sufficiency has become clear," says BfG Chairman Christian Ufen. However, he adds, it is becoming increasingly difficult for local producers to cover their costs or to make a profit in order to make necessary investments in even more environmental and climate protection.
Due to rising energy and input prices, the next season is really in danger, the BfG chairman emphasizes. Fertilizer prices for open field cultivation as well as energy prices are "going through the roof".
Greenhouse growers are thwarted by the CO2 pricing. The application procedure at the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) for the inclusion of horticulture in the Carbon Leakage Ordinance, which was supposed to support growers, is turning out to be a veritable bureaucratic monster. Politicians have a duty to enable a procedure that is practicable and that enables small and medium-sized enterprises to obtain subsidies, he said.
Furthermore, the supply of irrigation water is increasingly in danger. Individual water suppliers have already classified horticulture as a second priority. Last but not least, the intervention in the wage structure by politicians is unsettling.
With the numerous uncertainty factors no accurate price calculation is possible, Ufen continues. At the same time, price negotiations with the food retail trade are just around the corner.
For more information:
Zentralverband Gartenbau e.V. (ZVG)
Claire-Waldoff-Straße 710117 Berlin, DE
Tel: +49 (30) 200065-0
Mail: info@g-net.de
Web: http://www.g-net.de