Soaring diesel prices are threatening the harvest in Azuero province. Celestino Rivera, president of the association of industrial tomato producers, described the situation as critical, especially as the harvest season begins. "The rise in diesel is very serious for us because it increases all production costs. If the producer is not supported, the consumer will suffer the consequences with higher prices," he warned. Rivera explained that fuel is essential at every stage of the agricultural process, from land preparation to product transportation, so any increase directly impacts the producer's profitability. "The food security of the Panamanian people is at stake here," he emphasized. Producer Milagros Villarreal Morales expressed concern over the constant fuel price hikes, noting that the situation hits the new generation dependent on agriculture the hardest. "Every day we worry more, because fuel is needed for everything, and this will worsen the cost of the basic basket," she indicated. Villarreal warned that the increased cost of transportation and production will cause a general rise in essential goods.
