In this month of state of alarm, and in the productive sphere, the fruit and vegetable sector has adapted the work on farms and warehouses to the requirements established by the health authorities, with the implementation of strict action protocols. Harvesting, handling and packaging tasks have been slowed down by new measures that include distancing workers, among others, and mobility restrictions continue to make access to farms very difficult.

These mobility restrictions are of particular concern, since, at this time, when the stone fruit campaign begins, a sector with an export in 2019 of 1,04 million tons and 1.086 million euros, labor is lacking, the majority from other EU and non-EU countries. The FEPEX Stone Fruit Committee has estimated that this April, more than 16.000 additional workers will be required in addition to those already existing.

In terms of demand, the fruit and vegetables sector is responding to national and international demand, since 2/3 of fruit and vegetable production is destined for export. It is being, according to FEPEX, a changing consumption, with very strong peaks in the week before confinement and in the subsequent one, to later suffer a decline in the consumption of many products, which has been especially serious for perishable products, such as the strawberry, which does not allow postponing harvesting or marketing. Strawberry demand fell by 50% from mid-March to the end of the month, severely affecting farms in Huelva, which are awaiting the approval of exceptional measures by the European Commission.