By Ion Axinescu
Copyright euroweeklynews
Almuñecar is standing firmly behind its farmers as the mango and cherimoya harvest hits full swing.
Mayor Juan José Ruiz Joya and Councillor for Agriculture Carlos Ferrón recently toured Frutas El Cerval, one of the town’s leading tropical fruit companies. They showed support for a sector that is vital to the local economy.
“Our land, our pride. Two treasures that provide thousands of jobs for our neighbours, as behind each fruit there is a family, an effort, and a tradition. It is my duty to always stand by their side, and we cannot look the other way because defending our agriculture is defending Almuñecar,” said Ruiz Joya.
The mayor renewed his call for the long-delayed Rules Dam water channels to be completed, saying that farmers cannot be left with unbearable irrigation costs. Ferrón added that growers face a double squeeze: mangoes fetching under one euro per kilo while water prices climb above €0.50 per cubic metre.
Despite the challenges, the region’s tropical fruits continue to shine. Almuñécar boasts around 150 hectares of mango groves, mainly the Osteen variety, with harvests running until November. Cherimoya, especially the prized “Fino de Jete” protected by a Denomination of Origin, will carry the season through spring.
Founded in 2009, Frutas El Cerval alone produces more than 1.5 million kilos of tropical fruit each year, proving the sector’s strength and export potential.
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