Spain: They denounce the theft of carob beans that are still green and without any commercial value

LA UNIÓ de Llauradors has detected an increase in carob thefts when they are still green and have no commercial value in the producing areas of the Valencian Community in recent days, especially in the Maestrat and Alto Palancia regions, although it is widespread. "The locust bean is tender and is worth nothing now, the only thing they achieve is to destroy our trees with sticks to throw the carob beans to the ground," says Iván Monroig, head of the organization's sector. A considerably larger harvest is expected than the last one, which was very low, but approximately 80% of a normal one. It should be noted that the harvest is being brought forward more and more due to thefts that have occurred in recent campaigns due to the higher value of the product. In fact, in recent years, LA UNIÓ has detected the first thefts on farms earlier and earlier, given the impotence and anger of the producers who see how a whole year's effort is wasted, especially when they are still green carob ...