Nicknamed the Sahara of Romania, the region around Dabuleni is one of the main producers of watermelons and watermelons in the EU.
In Dăbuleni, a small town in southwestern Romania, carts full of watermelons wait for buyers in the sun. Some are already rotten and are thrown on the ground.
“I sell them for between 0.12 and 0.16 euro cents, depending on the merchandise. Some are damaged. For example, for this one, I ask for 0.15 cents and nobody wants them. I have four tons. I threw away a load. So four more tons. It makes me sick.”explains a watermelon producer.
According to producers, unpredictable weather is the cause of a delay in the harvest in Dăbuleni. As a result, several regions found themselves with watermelons to sell at the same time. Hence a lower price than last year.
“Last year, watermelons were in demand until the end of the season. And they sold for more.”explains another producer.
On local markets, Dăbuleni producers say they make some sales, but at a significantly lower price (around 0.7 euro cents per kilo).
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Romania produces more than 20% of the European Union’s watermelons.