Spain’s Beloved Paella Rice Faces Threat from EU Pesticide Ban

In Valencia, Spain, the future of bomba rice, a crucial ingredient in the traditional paella dish, hangs in the balance. Local farmers are raising alarms over the potential disappearance of this unique rice variety, following the European Union’s ban on a key pesticide previously used to combat the Pyricularia fungus, which causes rice blast disease. The 2023 harvest saw yields plummet to half the ten-year average, signaling a dire situation for the cultivation of bomba rice, predominantly grown in Spain.

This development has sparked a broader debate over EU environmental regulations, which some Spanish farmers argue disadvantage them compared to international competitors like Brazil, India, and Cambodia, where the banned pesticide remains in use. The issue has ignited protests across Europe, with farmers demanding a reconsideration of the rules that they claim undermine their livelihoods and the EU’s food self-sufficiency goals.

The controversy stems from the EU’s 2018 decision to halt the authorization of tricyclazole, a fungicide used for 40 years against the fungus affecting bomba rice, due to health concerns. Despite this, the EU permits imports containing trace amounts of the fungicide, a policy disparity that has intensified farmer grievances.

While alternatives to tricyclazole exist, their use has ecological implications, notably affecting shrimp populations in rice-producing wetlands, further complicating the dilemma of balancing agricultural needs with environmental protection.

The scarcity of bomba rice has led to a significant price surge, doubling over three years to more than five euros per kilo, impacting both retailers and consumers. Despite these challenges, efforts to stabilize supply are ongoing, with major supermarket chains in Spain reporting gradual improvements.

Bomba rice’s unique qualities, including its capacity to absorb flavors without overcooking, make it a preferred choice for paella, underscoring the cultural and culinary significance of this crisis. As the EU, farmers, and researchers navigate the complexities of sustainable agriculture and food security, the fate of Spain’s iconic paella rice remains uncertain.