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Farmers in Lorca have started to carry out night patrols to prevent more watermelon thefts in the countryside.

 

In the last few days, up to 1,000 kilos of watermelons have been stolen to be sold by black market fruit sellers, as watermelons are becoming more expensive and valuable in Spain.

 

Plácido Pérez-Chuecos, president of the COAG farmers’ association and a farmer in the Guadalentín Valley, said the thefts are taking place in many parts of Lorca, including the rural areas of Tercia, Marchena, La Campana, La Hoya and Purias.

 

“In ten minutes, they steal 1,000 kilos of watermelons,” he said

 

This is not the first time that the Murcia farmers have suffered this type of theft in the summer season, and they have demanded more police patrols to prevent their crops from reaching the black market.

 

Pérez-Chuecos commented, “We need more police controls in the area and if the police officers see vans they should stop them and check if they are carrying watermelons and ask for documentation.”

 

This watermelon season is not typical as it has been delayed due to the rains this April. Watermelon farmers have been forced to plant 10% fewer watermelons and their work is not being rewarded either. Consumers are paying almost 2 euros per kilo for watermelons, which means that the average watermelon now costs almost 10 euros while farmers are being paid 25 cents per kilo.

 

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