It has been a difficult campaign so far for Huelva's strawberry sector, with one of the worst-ever starts as a result of productivity losses of up to 50%. However, the situation has gradually improved, making up for the earlier damages.
"We have been recovering some of the volumes intended for fresh consumption; by the end of the season, the figures will be around 10% lower than last year," explains Carlos Cumbreras, manager of Grufesa.
Prices have been lower than last season, especially during April; nevertheless, the final stage of the campaign has brought an improvement in them, although the volumes sold are small.
But adverse weather conditions are not the only threat. "Perhaps the sector itself is still one of its main threats. If we worked together a bit more, we would face fewer problems. Additionally, the agricultural agreement with Morocco, which has been silenced this season by the weather, has allowed Spain to export large volumes of strawberries to Europe in exceptional conditions between April and May," states Carlos Cumbreras.
For more information:
Grufesa
+34 959 372335
+34 959 372346
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.grufesa.com
Prices have been lower than last season, especially during April; nevertheless, the final stage of the campaign has brought an improvement in them, although the volumes sold are small.
The delays in the stone fruit campaign caused by the mild and cold temperatures in a way help improve strawberry consumption. "The arrival of other seasonal fruits, such as stone fruit, usually prevents the purchase of strawberries, and thus, if they suffer delays, we can benefit slightly. Additionally, the mild temperatures in mid and late-May are delaying the end of the campaign," he explains.
In terms of quality, Carlos Cumbreras says that the campaign started with exceptional conditions which they hoped to maintain. "Later on, rains and moisture affected the fruit, as a result of which we shipped more fruit to the processing industry, so that we could remain in a leading position in the market for fresh consumption, which recognises our quality," he affirms.
Grufesa currently exports almost its entire production and ships its strawberries to a dozen European countries. "This campaign we have entered South America, becoming the first firm in the sector to export to Panama, with the support and advice from the purchaser and its forwarder in Spain, Savino del Bene S.L., who helped us obtain the licences and import and export certifications required by Panama's authorities. Although shipments have been small, the significance of the move itself makes us very happy."
In terms of quality, Carlos Cumbreras says that the campaign started with exceptional conditions which they hoped to maintain. "Later on, rains and moisture affected the fruit, as a result of which we shipped more fruit to the processing industry, so that we could remain in a leading position in the market for fresh consumption, which recognises our quality," he affirms.
Grufesa currently exports almost its entire production and ships its strawberries to a dozen European countries. "This campaign we have entered South America, becoming the first firm in the sector to export to Panama, with the support and advice from the purchaser and its forwarder in Spain, Savino del Bene S.L., who helped us obtain the licences and import and export certifications required by Panama's authorities. Although shipments have been small, the significance of the move itself makes us very happy."
But adverse weather conditions are not the only threat. "Perhaps the sector itself is still one of its main threats. If we worked together a bit more, we would face fewer problems. Additionally, the agricultural agreement with Morocco, which has been silenced this season by the weather, has allowed Spain to export large volumes of strawberries to Europe in exceptional conditions between April and May," states Carlos Cumbreras.
"Despite the fact that, up until April, our productivity was not all that positive, at Grufesa we are determined to remain a leading firm in terms of quality and dedication, as well as at the forefront of sectorial innovation," he concludes.
For more information:
Grufesa
+34 959 372335
+34 959 372346
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.grufesa.com
