Córdoba’s potato sector is confronting a sharp downturn as overproduction floods the market, driving prices well below the cost of cultivation and putting jobs and livelihoods at risk, according to a news story published by Argenpapa.
Producers in the region say the industry planted around 8,000 hectares more than usual, and very favorable yields have created a supply glut. Local grower Miguel Campetella reports that production costs for a finished bag of potatoes reach about 4,000 pesos, yet current sale prices hover between 2,500 and 2,800 pesos, occasionally reaching 3,000. Many inputs such as fertilizers, seed, and machinery are dollar-linked, adding further strain on producers.
According to Juan Perlo of FENAOMFRA (National Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Market Operators), the price collapse is rooted in market dynamics rather than policy failures. He also points to a broader decline in consumption across fresh produce, which is compounding the downward pressure. The situation has been aggravated by early arrivals of potatoes from Tucumán, whose harvest ended just days earlier, further saturating markets in Córdoba and neighboring provinces.
Faced with losses, some growers are choosing not to harvest or are discarding tubers altogether, citing transport and commission costs of about 1,500 pesos—nearly equivalent to the sale price. Others are proceeding with harvests despite negative returns, preferring to clear fields in preparation for the next season rather than leave crops behind.
In response, many farmers are rotating into alternative crops such as wheat and corn to recoup losses. Planting intentions for the December crop in Córdoba already suggest contraction, as capital constraints and discouragement are leading to reduced acreage. Analysts warn that if supply contracts significantly next season, price recovery could follow, though the adjustment will be painful for many producers.
Fonte: Argenpapa. Read the full original story here
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