Covid-19 with direct impact on fruit and vegetable prices increases in Portugal

Transportation and harvesting of products in the fields have become more expensive, costs that farmers say naturally have to be reflected on consumers. Contagion prevention measures against the new coronavirus are increasing farmers' costs but also the prices paid by consumers for fruits and vegetables.

For example, vans which used to fill up to 9 people can only fit 5 now, forcing farmers or entrepreneurs to make two trips. The alternative is to have more vehicles or pay a supplement to workers for using their own vehicle.

Another example can be found in the handling of the fruit or vegetable and fruit plants, where there was also an increase in costs due to COVID-19 contingency plans (namely masks, alcohol gel, separating people in shifts to avoid crossings, etc). These extra logistics have added costs and have negatively affected consumers in a sector where margins were already tight.