The current drought and high temperatures are placing national fruit and vegetable producers under mounting pressure this summer. The Luxembourg Fruit Growers' Association drew attention to the matter in a letter on Tuesday explaining that the situation is becoming acutely problematic, both agronomically and economically, for a good number of businesses.
Costs, above all, have shot up, since growers have had to irrigate their crops in the absence of rain. Even so, lower yields are expected for many crops this year, meaning reduced income against high costs for producers.
The call is on politicians to create the necessary conditions for production. If the country wants more Luxembourg-grown fruit and vegetables, the letter notes, it also has to ensure that water is available to producers during dry spells.
That, the association added, does not mean using unlimited quantities of drinking water for agriculture – what is needed is a smart and sustainable water strategy.
