Humiliating prices in the land of vegetables: 5 lei for a 25kg sack of cucumbers. Olt farmers are desperate and leave them in the field

Farmers in Romania's Olt region are in despair as cucumber prices have collapsed, fetching as little as 5 lei for a 25-kilogram sack, equivalent to just 0.20 lei per kilogram. This drastic price drop is attributed to a combination of overproduction and a significant lack of demand. Many farmers are now leaving their perishable crops to rot in the fields, unable to find buyers even at these rock-bottom prices. Images of farmers waiting with sacks of cucumbers in wholesale markets have circulated online, sparking mixed reactions. Ion Păunel, leader of the Olt Producers' Union, explained that prices began falling last week and have continued to plummet. He noted that cucumbers are highly perishable, especially in the current heat, making immediate sales crucial. The current situation contrasts sharply with the previous year, when cucumbers sold well, with prices ranging between 2.5 and 3.5 lei per kilogram. This profitability encouraged farmers to expand their cultivation areas. Păunel also mentioned that Polish buyers, who previously purchased large quantities of Romanian cucumbers, have been less active this year. These Polish buyers had often paid good prices and accepted larger-sized cucumbers, which benefited local farmers. The increased cultivation was also driven by cucumbers' relative resistance to diseases and pests, making them an attractive crop. However, the current market conditions have left farmers facing substantial losses.

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About what price should we talk, per kilogram or per sack? It has dropped, now, to 0.20 lei per kilogram. Lower than that...