Spain: excellent production of tomatoes in Extremadura

Barranquilla - The association of producers from Extremadura qualified the harvesting of tomatoes as excellent this year. However, between 2001 and 2005, the cultivated area of tomatoes in Spain decreased approximatly 16,000 hectares. According to Bibiano Serrano, president of the association, the common organization of fruits and vegetables of the EU, reformed in July of this year, was positive for theprocessing firms but not for the growers. The subsector of tomatoes will receive € 15 million during four years. However, this budget is not enough to cover the losses for about € 40 million. The association asked for more support for growers the industry and the Ministry of Agriculture and for a formal decision about the kind of support that they will receive before November.