Farmers in the village of Samaticë in the municipality of Dimal are facing a critical situation due to the lack of a market for their agricultural products. Tons of tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables remain stationary at collection points, while the produce is rotting.
The cause of this crisis is the blockage of 8 tons of tomatoes originating from Albania in Croatia, which has interrupted almost all export orders. Farmers say that the investments made are going to waste and the goods are being destroyed.
"We have invested a lot, we are not able to sell the goods even at the minimum price. The products are rotting and we are throwing them in the canal," said one farmer. Another points out that some farmers have used banned pesticides or in overdose, damaging the image of Albanian products.
Farmer Marjo Bregu admits that pesticide abuses have contributed to the product being blocked, but stresses that the responsibility should not be placed on everyone. “It’s their fault that they don’t buy our goods,” he told News24.
Editorial
