Puebla, Pue. In the eastern region of the state, barley producers threaten to stop supplying the brewing industry, because they have been giving them low-quality seeds for 22 years, with which their yield per hectare has decreased by up to 40% and, with it, ” they want to pay the ton at lower prices”.
The president of the System Product of that crop in PueblaRaúl Godos Langle, explained that despite the fact that as a rule they should be given a variety of seed every four years, this has not happened, a situation that puts them at a disadvantage when negotiating the cost of the harvest.
He said that in 2018 they were paid 5,900 pesos for each ton; however, in the following years it fell to 4,270 pesos, making production unaffordable for the 1,500 represented, who plant 12,000 hectares exclusively for this industry in the municipalities of Oriental, Libres and Cuyoaco.
He commented that another 2,500 feeders distributed in 13 municipalities cultivate 18,000 hectares as fodder for cattle, which is acquired by meat companies in the north of the country, although they also have buyers from Veracruz and Jalisco.
ranchers
The leader explained that the ranchers are paying 4,800 pesos per ton, a situation for which they are analyzing working entirely for that sector under the contract farming scheme.
The large breweries, through their seed suppliers, have not wanted to attend to our request, so if we do not see a commitment for the next agricultural cycle, then we are going to decline after 60 years of supplying,” Godos Langle pointed out.
He explained that at the time of delivering the harvest, which is collected in October, they are discounted for broken or bald rods, which is not the fault of the producer, but of the seed they receive and that is not resistant to pests.
The cebadero leader explained that the disease in the sticks implies that they lose thickness and texture, to the point that if they do not apply fertilizers to counteract its effect, they dry up.
He recognized that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of craft beer from several states, including Puebla, want them to provide them; however, they only agree to buy 25% of what is harvested for the large firms.
Godos Langle said that if they decline to continue working with the big brewers to only supply the livestock industry, “then we will evaluate allocating a part to the artisanal industrialists.”
He mentioned that at least 25 SMEs from that beverage have been looking for them for more than a year in order to reach an agreement; however, they will wait for the delivery of the harvest to their current clients and how they are paid, to determine if they will dedicate themselves to forage production.
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