Achaia: The prices of olive oil on the shelf are exorbitant, how are they formed – Aegian producers ask for market control

There has been a lot of talk in recent months about profiteering in the olive oil marketon the occasion of unprecedented prices of the product on supermarket shelves. Criticism also drags down the producers who have come under fire, however its former president Independent Agricultural Association of Aegialia Paraskeva Spyropoulosspoke to “Peloponnisos” and puts things in order.

“Have you ever produced a kilo of oil, to see how it turns out and how much it costs to produce? It has doubled from 2022 in fuel, fertilizers, agricultural supplies and daily wages. Add in the costs of sprinkling, watering, digging or shredder, pruning, picking, etc… and after you’ve done all of the above and spent out of pocket and on loans to grow, there comes a time when there’s nothing left as profit.” emphasized Mr. Spyropoulos.

Especially this year, The land workers are demanding 50 euros a day, up from the 35 they were asking for last year. To the above must be added the reduced production this year, which leaves only losses for the producers.

In any case, Mr Spyropoulos emphasized that producers are not responsible for the prices consumers see on supermarket shelves, and this is because last year they sold to middlemen and supermarkets for 5.5 euros per kilo and they then sold for 12-13 euros per liter.

Mr. Spyropoulos emphasized that producers sell in kilograms and traders and supermarkets in litres. This is a disgrace, as their profit is more than double that of the producer and the problem must be put under the microscope of the competent control mechanisms.

“So if you want to blame someone for the fact that the oil went from 5.50 to the producer to 12-13 euros in the supermarkets, it is certainly not the producer, but the traders who are making a profit with the tolerance of the state, at the expense of the producer and the consumer” he said .

Regarding this year’s production, growers are selling this season for 7-7.5 euros per kilo. Does this mean that we will see an olive oil price on the shelf above 15 euros per liter? “I don’t want to believe it” said Mr. Paraskevopoulos who requested the immediate activation of the control mechanisms.