FEPEX and the Ministry of Agriculture address key challenges in the fruit and vegetable sector

The meeting marked an important milestone, being the first official meeting of Cecilio Peregrín with Minister Planas since his appointment as president of FEPEX last December. Luis Planas extended his best wishes to Peregrín for this new stage. It was also the first meeting for Ignacio Antequera as the new director of FEPEX, who took office on July 1, and to José María Pozancos in his role as a councilor of the Federation, after 33 years at the head of the board.

Among the main problems addressed, FEPEX highlighted the growing shortage of phytosanitary products, which significantly limits farmers' ability to efficiently combat pests. The lack of skilled workers was also highlighted as a structural problem that directly affects the viability of agricultural production. farms.

In a market of the European Union Increasingly competitive and open to third-country production, but with stricter regulations for EU producers, FEPEX representatives emphasized the urgency of improving farm profitability through solid investments. In this regard, the need to strengthen producer organizations and their associations within the framework of future development was raised. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as increasing community aid for operational programmes that finance individual and collective investments.

During the meeting, the recently renewed agreement between the MAP and FEPEX for the promotion of Spanish fruits, vegetables, flowers, and live plants in international markets during 2025 and 2026. This agreement, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on June 24, is crucial for strengthening the sector's presence in key markets and for opening new destinations, a shared objective between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, within the framework of the working group for opening new markets.