As soon as the heat squeezes in summer, there is no more emblematic image in the Valencian Community than terraces full of high and cold horchata vessels: few drinks better represent the Mediterranean identity . But after that refreshing tradition lies a crop as fragile as it is essential: the chufa .
A stain expanding. For years, this small tuber has been the economic engine of much of the Valencian garden . Its cultivation, located primarily in L’Horta Nord , not only gives flavor to summer, but also provides work, identity, and landscape. However, as denounced by the Valencian Association of Farmers (Ava-Asaja), the cultivation of the chufa is experiencing an unprecedented crisis: despite the high demand and the stability of prices at origin, profitability has collapsed.
In data. The situation is clear: in just a decade, production costs have risen by 40%, while productivity has decreased by 25%. As explained in the press release, this year a thousand hanegades have been cultivated less than the previous year, representing a 15% reduction in the surface area dedicated to chufa cultivation.
The Chufa de Valencia is cultivated in around 16 municipalities of L’Horta Nord , where approximately 5.3 million kilos of chufa are produced annually, with 90% enjoying a denomination of origin . In total, the crop occupies about 600 hectares, yielding an estimated production of 7,300 tons. Although these figures may seem modest nationwide, the chufa is a characteristic culture of the area and is crucial for hundreds of Valencian families .
<img alt="Cultivating chufa in Valencia" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/2d960e/corte-tomate-patata/375_142.jpeg"/>A plague with fifteen years of history. One of the main factors threatening chufa production is a disease known as ” black spot .” This condition, which appears as dark marks on the skin of the tuber, reduces its commercial value and leads to product waste, which must be discarded for not meeting market standards.
First detected fifteen years ago—coinciding with the initial plantings of African chufa seeds in Valencia, Ava-Asaja states—the disease is well characterized but poorly addressed. According to statements collected by Europa Press, the Agrarian Organization laments that the Ministry of Agriculture has not provided the sector with adequate information about the disease’s characteristics, its causes, or effective combat methods. They call upon the Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research (IVIA) to intensify studies aimed at controlling this plague, whose impact continues to rise.
A weed that sweeps everything. In addition to black spot, another alarming threat has emerged: the appearance of an invasive weed in chufa fields. Ava-Asaja has denounced that this species could have been introduced through chufas sourced from third countries during laundering practices in the Valencian garden.
The difficulty of addressing this issue lies in the weed’s similar vegetative cycle to that of chufa, complicating herbicide application without damaging the crop. Furthermore, manual removal is inadequate, as even unremoved fragments can re-root the following year. “Being a more vigorous plant, it can infest entire fields,” the Agrarian Organization warns via Valencian media. The consequences are dire: diminished yield, increased manual labor without results, and, in some cases, fields that must temporarily cease cultivation due to the inability to eradicate the infestation.
The future of the crop, at stake. Given this scenario, Ava-Asaja urgently requests that administrations implement a sustained action plan. The proposal includes immediate measures to mitigate present damage, as well as a long-term strategy for ensuring the viability of the crop: new plant protection solutions, biological research, control over imported materials, and financial aid to offset increased costs.
Antonio José Gimeno, head of the Chufa Sector at Ava-Asaja, clarified in statements that “if citizens want a thriving garden, crops like chufa must have fair and lasting profitability. Addressing pressing issues like black spot and invasive weeds is crucial for restoring productivity to acceptable levels.”
But is this crisis reversible? Yes, but time is running short. The crop still holds future potential thanks to its economic value and the growing national and international demand. Horchata, healthy eating, natural cosmetics: all these sectors rely on Valencian chufa. However, without production, there will be no raw material. As Gimeno succinctly stated: “It will be of little use if demand and prices remain consistent if adequate production cannot be achieved.”
A warning beyond the chufa. The crisis surrounding chufa is not an isolated incident; it serves as a warning of what may occur when the primary sector lacks the necessary investment, research, and policies to safeguard it. Today’s challenges with this tuber could be a prelude to future crises affecting other crops if timely action is not implemented. Preserving the garden is not just about ensuring profitability; it’s about maintaining a landscape, a way of life, and a cultural heritage that has defined the Valencian Community for centuries.
Image | Dorieo
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