Algarve Farmers Unite with Authorities to Combat Orchard Thefts

A Collaborative Effort to Tackle Agricultural Thefts

In an urgent response to the rising thefts in orchards across the Algarve, farmers, security forces, and various organizations convened today to strengthen their fight against this escalating issue. According to Pedro Valadas Monteiro, the vice-president of the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) responsible for agriculture, the goal is to create a closer collaboration among entities to prevent, deter, and reduce agricultural thefts.

The Growing Problem of Agricultural Theft

The CCDR vice-president noted that the thefts of agricultural products are cyclical, often spiking in relation to market prices, particularly for citrus fruits, carob, and more recently, avocados.

To combat this, it is crucial to increase surveillance and the presence of security forces in the fields, thereby alleviating farmers' concerns. The Algarve Farmers Federation reports that 3,500 tons of citrus fruits, worth over one million euros, are stolen annually. In the past three months alone, 50 tons of avocado were stolen, yielding a profit of 150,000 euros for thieves.

Formation of a Task Force

The task force, established in 2016 due to citrus thefts, particularly oranges, has since expanded to include the theft of carob and avocado. The recent meeting in Faro included representatives from various organizations such as the GNR, Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), and Algarve Agriculture Federation (Fedagri).

Diana Ferreira, vice-president of Fedagri, highlighted the increase in avocado thefts, while also acknowledging that citrus and carob thefts are longstanding issues. Just last week, authorities seized over one ton of avocado and arrested six individuals for avocado theft in Tavira, a region known for its extensive orchards.

Health Risks and Preventative Measures

Sources indicate that thefts often occur during orchard treatments, raising public health concerns due to higher chemical residues on the fruits. Additionally, a representative from the Tavira City Hall introduced the “Tavira + Secure” program, aimed at enhancing agricultural security and potentially extending throughout Algarve.

Participation in this program is voluntary, with each registered plot assigned a unique code displayed on-site. This creates a central database to identify individuals frequently present in the area and enables tracking of suspicious movements, allowing swift responses from the GNR and other entities.