The JPP parliamentary group attended the Regional Banana Exhibition in Madalena do Mar to listen to producers and question GESBA's policies. Deputy Rafael Nunes highlighted the discrepancy between the company's announced profits of 1.5 million euros and the low prices paid to farmers.
Nunes stated that current banana prices are virtually the same as twenty years ago, representing a roughly 50% drop in producer income compared to what cooperatives paid then. For instance, first-category bananas fell from 0.51 euros to about 0.26 euros per kilogram, and second-category from 0.30 euros to 0.15 euros.
JPP also criticized the payment of less than 5 cents per kilogram for marketable banana pulp. The party emphasized that, accounting for inflation, the income loss is even more significant. Concerns previously raised with the Regional Government have gone unanswered, leading JPP to question whether GESBA's model serves farmers or perpetuates a detrimental system.
