Producers from the missionary cities of Andresito (locality where 80% of weed is produced nationwide) and Saint Peter reached an agreement with cooperatives and dryers to restart the zafriña (harvest) now for a lower amount than recommended, but above the 240 pesos per kilo of green leaf established last November by the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Nation.
In both towns located in the north and center of the province respectively, it was agreed to pay 370 pesos per kilo of green leaf, well below the 505 pesos that the producers claimed and that has the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Production of Misiones.
Meanwhile the directory of National Institute of Yerba Mate (INYM) It went to an intermediate room to define the price of green and tanned leaves for the winter harvest that begins on April 1 and runs until September 30.
Yerba Mate: “We are melting,” say the producers
“We yerbatero producers are melting down,” said yerbatero producer Víctor Chamula, from Commander Andresitowho attributed the agreement reached to that situation.
In dialogue with Radio República de Posadas, he explained that “there are producers who have an extreme need to restart the harvest because they have children in school, undergoing medical treatment, among countless other problems.”
Regarding the agreement, he explained that it consists of receiving $370 per kilo of green leaf, a value that will have two monthly updates of 20% and from there it would be updated with inflation. That is to say that in April it would exceed the 505 pesos claimed by other yerba associations in the province.
“The expenses far exceed the profit we had in previous years,” he stated.
Agriculture seeks to organize the market
In another order, the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Nation, Fernando Vilellareceived Minister of Agriculture and Production of Misiones, Facundo López Sartorito deepen the productive situation of the province and address different areas of work to improve the competitiveness of missionary production.
Sartori indicated one of the central points was the need to define who will be in charge of the National Yerba Mate Institute (INYM) because “the need to organize the market is urgent.”
The agenda revolved around issues linked to the province’s important chains; to the agricultural emergency; to vaccination plans against foot and mouth disease and to foreign trade, especially in relation to tea and the possible recovery of some markets.
Vilella listened to Minister López Sartori and assured: “We are in the process of resolving these issues, we have requested that you send us information about pending projects and we are going to work together to improve the development of the province.”
Source: Ambito
