Huelva's current strawberry campaign is marked by low production volumes, as the year started with difficulties due to delays in the harvest and losses caused by storms.
"Any setbacks affecting production areas affect us and lead not only to lower production volumes, but also to lower prices," explains José Beltrán, Manager of the Valencian firm Hispalco. "Our exports are around 10% lower than in 2012 and prices have fallen by 8%."
Although rain is not something unusual, the quality of the strawberries has been affected by it. We have suffered botrytis damage due to moisture, something very difficult to prevent or treat."
In terms of prices, according to José Beltrán, "they were good earlier in the campaign, but in the last three weeks, despite shortages, prices have been disastrous due to the low temperatures registered at their destinations. At the moment the production is down by almost 50%, so prices have slightly increased."
Meanwhile, Morocco and Egypt are growing stronger competitors, although for Jose Beltrán, quality is still the hallmark of Spanish strawberries, which is why the markets still prefer them.
"Morocco and Egypt must always be taken into consideration because they are large producers and their campaign starts before Spain's. However, as soon as the Spanish season starts, importers prefer Huelva's strawberries, as in most cases they are better controlled and have better quality. Spain still has to remain competitive using quality as a weapon. Nevertheless, we cannot relax because those countries are learning quickly and their production costs are lower."
"Morocco and Egypt must always be taken into consideration because they are large producers and their campaign starts before Spain's. However, as soon as the Spanish season starts, importers prefer Huelva's strawberries, as in most cases they are better controlled and have better quality. Spain still has to remain competitive using quality as a weapon. Nevertheless, we cannot relax because those countries are learning quickly and their production costs are lower."
Based in Puzol, in the Spanish province of Valencia, Hispalco commercialises all sorts of fruits and vegetables for the wholesaler market, with strawberries being one of its main products at the moment. Its range of strawberries includes the Camarosa, Candonga, Fortuna and Primoris varieties, among others.
"In Spain, the most demanded varieties are the Candonga, Camarosa, Fortuna and Primoris, in that order. The Camarosa and the Primoris are the ones with the longest shelf life, so we also export them the most," adds José Beltrán. "Most of our exports go to Europe, but in the last two years we have increased our sales to Russia and the Arab Emirates."
Strawberries are packed in wooden boxes of 1 and 2 kg and containers of 250 and 500 grams. "In France they prefer the smaller 1 kg boxes, in which presentation plays a key role. These boxes are protected with plastic covers," explains Ana Beltrán, Assistant Manager of Hispalco.
"Germans prefer the containers, both the 250 and the 500 gram formats. The K60 or squared container of 400 or 500 grams is mainly demanded in Russia and the Baltic countries."
MONNA LISA and UNICORN are Hispalco's brands, as well as HISPALCO BIO for the organic range.
The Valencian firm prepares orders to meet client demands. "We carry out precision work in the elaboration of our orders, as we would in a one to one service, preparing mixed pallets with the quantities and varieties demanded. Not everyone likes to work like this because it is time-consuming," she affirms.
"We work with small volumes, because quality is more important to us than quantity. After 20 years in the sector, we believe that we offer excellent quality, both in our products and in the customer service we provide," concludes Ana Beltrán.
Hispalco's stand at Fruit Logistica 2013. From left to right: Natascia Spartani, Quality Manager; José Beltrán, Manager; Ana Beltrán, Assistant Manager; Arjan van Hoof and Willem van Rooij, from the Commercial department."
For more information:
Ana Beltrán
HISPALCO, S.A.
C/ Barranco Pascual, 45. Pol. Ind. Campo Aníbal.
46530 Puzol, Valencia. Spain.
M: +34606686319
T: +34 963404422
[email protected]
www.hispalco.com
