The Provincial Association of Rhenish Fruit and Vegetable Growers has called on the coalition parties to prevent a further increase in the minimum wage. "The targeted increase to 12 euros per hour would have serious effects on fruit and vegetable growing in the Rhineland, North Rhine-Westphalia and all of Germany," wrote association president Christoph Nagelschmitz on Wednesday in an open letter to the SPD Bundestag member from the Rhineland , FDP and the Greens.
Bonn - In view of the competition from low-wage countries, many vegetables and fruits such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and sweet cherries could no longer be grown in the region if wages continue to rise, he warned.
Imports from North Africa, Southern Europe and South America displace domestic products, which would reach consumers on short transport routes in a climate-friendly way.
"More and more frequently, our German suppliers have to face a price war that they cannot win because of the lower wage costs in the competing countries." Dpa