These are values collected for the first time in individualized contracts between the large operators Félix Solís and Vinartis-García Carrión, instead of in the famous lists on a slate or on a sheet, known as tablets, that each year were expected by winegrowers with great expectation

The prices with which the buying and selling operations of the current harvest campaign are carried out in the two major wine industries -Félix Solís and Vinartis-García Carrión- that work in the area of the DO Valdepeñas “are not profitable” in response to the increase in inputs and the decrease in production, according to representatives of several producer organisations.

These are values collected for the first time in individualized contracts, instead of in the famous lists reflected in a slate or a sheet, known as tablets, which every year were expected by winegrowers with great expectation.

This change of method in the collection of prices is one of the novelties of the harvest 2022-2023, started last August 1, and, in provincial terms, has already been very advanced varietal collection, a few days from starting with the variety airén. Another novelty is the Law of the Vine and Wine of Castile-La Mancha, approved in the regional Courts on 28 July and whose entry into force occurred on 1 September

The prices set by the Félix Solís group, have reported from Asaja, are 0.19232 euros per kilodegree (3.20 pesetas per kilodegree) for early ink, and 0.017429 euros per kilodegree (2.90 pesetas) of white airen.

In the case of the ink, they are paying, in addition, 60 percent more if it is grapes intended for the production of wine with Denomination of Origin Valdepeñas -5.12 pesetas per kilodegree- as well as the value is increasing by 0.06 euros the kilo of grapes (9.98 pesetas) if it is hand-picked.

They are also adding a premium of 0.01202 euros per kilo (2 pesetas) for both varieties if it is the farmer who transports them to the production center.

In the same line, the prices of the grapes filled by the company García Carrión have been set below: at 0.017 euros per kilodegree (2.80 pesetas) the airén, and at 0.015 euros (2.50 pesetas) the red grape Tempranillo. This ink with DO Valdepeñas is purchased for 0.028 euros/kilograde (4.65 pesetas), and varietals at 0.029 euros per kilo (4.90 pesetas).

These are “low” contributions for Francisco Patiño, responsible for the wine sector of Asaja in the Valdepeñas area, who says that in the case of tempranillo grapes “is below even the set last year”.

They are “derisory” prices, says the spokesman, according to, “of the production losses that we are seeing, below the estimates initially foreseen”. Therefore, the wine spokesman has asked the Ministry of Agriculture, responsible for the management and control of the interprofessional of the DO Valdepeñas -in dissolution phase- “to provide data on the quantity of OJ wines sold, in which destinations and in which range, in addition to the number of barrels”.

900 euros less

For its part, the Agrarian Coordinator COAG of Castilla-La Mancha has also warned of the impossibility of covering the costs of production by La Mancha winegrowers with the prices launched by Félix Solís, (0.20 €/kg for whites and 0, 24 €/kg for inks).

According to his calculations, «they would lose 900 euros per hectare of white Airén grapes and 1,000 euros per hectare in Tinta Tempranillo», given that the investment of winegrowers is 0.43 euros and 0.52 euros per kilo, respectively.

Therefore, they ask «to intensify controls in the face of the opacity of industrialists and wineries in the first tranche of the present harvest», in the face of «the confusion and uncertainty due to the absence of tablets with reference prices», says the head of the wine sector of COAG CLM, Joaquín Vizcaíno.

They recall that Law 12/2013 on the Improvement of the Food Chain requires the signing of a purchase-sale contract -with the agreed price and payment conditions-, which may be required by inspectors the Food Information and Control Agency (AICA).

Also Asaja Castilla-La Mancha has urged winegrowers to go to the AICA to denounce «any irregularity that occurs in the sale of grapes to pursue and punish those who break the law», when paying «at prices not exceeding production costs».

 

SOURCE: LANZADIGITAL.COM