Blockade in Strumica, Farmers Demand Higher Prices for Red Peppers

Farmers from Strumica continued their protest today, blockading the city center. They are demanding that red peppers be purchased at higher prices and have expressed outrage at what they consider negligence on the part of the Ministry of Agriculture and purchasing companies.

Extra-class peppers, which are exported, are currently being bought at 40 denars per kilogram, while the price for peppers sent for processing is 25 denars. According to the farmers, these rates are insufficient to cover production costs.

The protests began on Thursday, and the farmers have announced they will continue the blockades. They are demanding immediate intervention from institutions and the setting of higher purchase prices. With the harvest season still in its early stages, the farmers warn they could face even greater losses.

“It’s pitiful and shameful to struggle in these weather conditions. The land burns under that sun while you try to produce a lot of goods, and they want to take it for nothing. You can’t survive, let alone produce any other crop for next year,” said one farmer./TV21/