2024-08-20 08:45:45
In a statement on social media, the Short Cycle Agricultural Production Association stated: “The Farmers’ Guild is only asking for the legal basis of NO TO IMPORTS. Another year with this problem.
High yields exist in the volume of demand and supply if it is covered” speaking of corn production, in response to industrialists’ claims about the high price of national grain.
For this reason, Diario El Productor spoke with Julio Morejón, a corn producer in Manabí and member of the association, which brings together farmers from various corn-growing areas of Ecuador, who has expressed a resounding “yes” to the availability of corn in the country. According to Morejón, Manabí still has between 35% and 40% of corn to harvest, while in Guayas there is still 30% left and in Los Ríos, specifically in the Palenque area, 20%.
Morejón argues that there is no need to talk about imports since there is enough corn in Ecuador to meet demand. “Industrialists say that the price was too high. The harvest was staggered, and although the price has risen, this is a reflection of the cost of production, which exceeds 2,300 dollars per hectare,” explains Morejón. He also points out that the fixed price of 16.50 dollars per quintal is not enough to cover these costs.
This year, corn production in Manabí was affected by a 45-day drought, which had a negative impact on productivity. Despite this, Morejón highlights the generosity of the land, pointing out that in areas such as Tosagua and Briseño there is still a considerable amount of corn to be harvested.
Prices and Production Costs
As for current prices, Morejón mentions that the price to farmers is between 17 and 18 dollars per quintal, while the price of dry and clean grain delivered to the industry ranges between 19 and 20 dollars. “Transportation can add an additional cost, raising the price to 20 or 21 dollars already set in places like Quito,” he says.
Morejón stresses the need for a review of prices to reflect the real costs of production. “The price of a quintal of corn should be 20 dollars to be fair and cover production costs,” he says.
Crop Cycle and National Production
The crop cycle in Manabí includes summer sowing, although not in very large quantities. In Los Ríos, a generous harvest is expected. Morejón, who also has thirty hectares of corn in Palenque, highlights the abundance of corn in other regions such as Quinindé, Santo Domingo, the Peninsula and Orellana, where there is still corn to be harvested.
In total, he estimates that there are still 500,000 tons of corn to be harvested in Ecuador. Morejón insists that there is no need to import corn, since the country has enough production to meet demand.
Government Review and Support
Morejón urges the government to conduct an updated census and visit the farming areas to verify the real situation of the farmers. “The last census has outdated data. A detailed analysis and support for farmers is necessary to prevent them from being harmed,” says Morejón. He recalled the importance of complying with regulation 134, which is quite clear: the advisory council must meet at the end of October, with all the actors in the chain.
He also criticises the composition of the advisory council, which, according to him, does not adequately represent real farmers. “There are actors on the council who obey private interests and do not have a single hectare of corn planted. We need real producers to be taken into account,” he argues.