Bio Fruchtgemüse Produzenten e.V. (Bio.Fru.Pro, en.: Association of Organic Fruit and Vegetable Producers) expressly distances itself from demands to allow exceptions for vegetable cultivation in the planned minimum wage increase. Proposals of this kind do not do justice to the social responsibility we bear and make it impossible to recruit qualified staff. Organic farming has never been competitive in terms of price.
The cultivation of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers requires an above-average amount of manual labor, which means that the industry will be particularly affected by the planned increase. This is all the more serious given that domestic farms will continue to be disadvantaged in European competition. A Spanish tomato is harvested for EUR 8.37 per hour, compared with EUR 12.82 in Germany at present and EUR 14.60 in 2027.
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Setting up irrigation on the Zell farm (left) and cucumber harvest on the Ackerlei farm
"But let's be honest: regional vegetable production – both organic and conventional – has long since ceased to be competitive with cheap imports from countries such as Spain or Morocco," says Michael Schudde, managing director of Bio.Fru.Pro. "When consumers choose our products, it's because they appreciate their quality and care about their region. We cannot compromise on this – and that is only possible with qualified employees who are paid fairly."
On average, wages account for 40 per cent of the production costs of organic fruit and vegetables alone. To maintain wage fairness within the company, the minimum wage must be raised across the entire wage structure, which will lead to an average wage increase of over 15 per cent by 2027. If this development is not reflected in product prices, numerous companies will be forced to give up.
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Caring for peppers at BioLesker
'Price increases are an imposition'
"Of course, further price increases are an imposition in these times," explains Rudolf Dworschak, CEO of Bio.Fru.Pro. "And of course, we would welcome short-term relief in ancillary wage costs or taxation. Ultimately, however, we firmly believe that consumers, politicians, and retailers will recognize, promote, and reward the value of regionally produced organic vegetables, social justice, and an intact environment."
Imports guarantee low consumer prices and a year-round supply of fresh vegetables. At the same time, however, they increase dependence on international supply chains, the risks of which have become very apparent in recent years. In contrast, regional organic farming stands for security of supply and the highest quality standards at all levels.
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Tomato planting at the organic farm Kirchweidach
For more information:
Michael Schudde
Bio.Fru.Pro
Tel: +49 176 60030043
michael@biofrupro.de
www.biofrupro.de