The La Candelaria livestock and agricultural cooperative, once championed by the renowned Pedro Molina, is looking towards the “present and future,” as stated by the current president, Candelaria Rodríguez, to DIARIO DE AVISOS. The key to their future lies in the sale of their well-known premises in the lagoon area of San Benito, valued at 3.6 million Euros. The cooperative plans to utilise this sale to settle the 1.9 million Euro debt remaining since the closure of the fiscal year in 2013.
According to the Cooperative Law and the resolution endorsed during the members’ meeting at the ordinary general assembly of June 30, 2023, this debt is expected to be apportioned among the cooperative members based on their contributions due to the limited deferment options available.
The deficit in 2013 amounted to 2.5 million Euros. As per the information shared by Rodríguez with the newspaper, approximately 600,000 Euros have been repaid through recent revenue and margins. Still, a substantial 1.9 million Euros remain pending. The only viable solution to secure the cooperative’s future and prevent members from bearing this burden is the sale of the San Benito facilities, which houses the cooperative’s agricultural and livestock products market.
While Rodríguez refrains from providing a clear stance and maintains silence (neither confirming nor denying), reports suggest that La Laguna City Council is a likely contender, with the cooperative having already submitted an appraisal of the San Benito premises to the council for consideration.
Rodríguez admits they are exploring various options for the transaction, both public and private, given the prime location of the headquarters, offering numerous opportunities. The prospect of the council acquiring the property gains momentum, considering their long-standing contemplation of establishing a much-needed parking facility in the area and a green space close to the San Benito hermitage. While it is possible that other governmental bodies may contribute financially to the operation, the focus, for now, remains on the city council.
On the contrary, the local government only confirms the receipt of a proposal from La Candelaria Cooperative for the assessment of the plot, currently under review by the “Treasury and Heritage” department.
Amidst various speculations and concerns over closure, Candelaria Rodríguez assures the cooperative’s present and future through this sale. Acknowledging the challenging times faced by agriculture and livestock sectors in the islands, she highlights the positive outcomes of the recovery plan implemented over the past year, such as the tripling of goat milk production. She refutes claims of purchasing meat externally and reveals plans to relocate to Rodeo Alto in the lagoon region if the San Benito sale goes through. The new location boasts two warehouses and 5,000 square meters of land. The cooperative intends to sustain its current workforce, implement diversification initiatives, and potentially establish additional branches in other municipalities, as per the president’s projections.
Notably, the cooperative aims to retain its current butcher shop, possibly relocating it within the same vicinity or nearby to maintain customer loyalty and presence in Aguere.
Doubts and Criticisms from Fellow Ranchers
Despite Rodríguez’s optimism, some members express scepticism and criticism, doubting the successful closure of the sale of the existing headquarters at the 3.6 million Euro valuation and questioning the associated timelines. Avelino Farrais, for instance, attributes the financial predicament to past mismanagement and is concerned about the demands placed on members, receiving notices demanding sums exceeding 5,000 Euros towards the 1.9 million Euro debt. While hoping for a favourable sale outcome to avoid personal contributions, uncertainties persist, with reports indicating significantly higher requests from other members, leading to apprehensions about the situation.
