After two months of selling Medio Grano onions, last week marked the beginning of the Grano onion harvest (of the Reca type) in Almansa, Spain, and although it arrives with delays and lower volumes because of the weather, the quality so far has been very satisfactory, with generally quite large calibres.
Onion producers all over Spain expect a reduction in production volumes compared to last year, as in some places, such as Ciudad Real, there were issues with the planting as a result of bad weather.
"In our case, we believe that our volumes will be similar to those of a normal year, although we will need to wait until all the onions are stored," explains Eduardo Pérez, manager of Productos Hortícolas el Hondo S.L. "As for their quality, we are very satisfied so far, taking into account that Medio Grano onions were excellent, with very large calibres, almost the same as those of Grano onions. We now expect to continue harvesting it until late September to be able to store it in our chambers."
According to Eduardo, prices are notably higher than those registered last season, and as the weeks go by, they are expected to remain on an upward trend," he added.
"The greatest difficulty this campaign will be the high cost of the necessary materials for the commercialisation, including transport, packaging and labelling, as well as the fierce competition in the sector, especially from the Netherlands."
With a total of 400 hectares devoted to various crops, Productos Hortícolas El Hondo, based in Almansa, is specialised in the production, selection and packing of onions and garlic, which are distributed both in the domestic and the export market.
"Our main export markets are Central European countries, where we ship our largest calibres, which are our specialty. Small calibres go mainly to Eastern Europe and Northern Africa."
Products are labelled under the brands HONDOFRESH, QUIXOTE ONION and CEBOLLAS CIFUENTES, and soon a new brand will be launched: GOLDEN ONION.
Products are labelled under the brands HONDOFRESH, QUIXOTE ONION and CEBOLLAS CIFUENTES, and soon a new brand will be launched: GOLDEN ONION.
Productos Hortícolas El Hondo will be happy to welcome Fruit Attraction's visitors at their stand, between 16 and 18 October in Madrid.
For more information:
Eduardo Pérez
Productos Hortícolas El Hondo, S.L
02640 Almansa (Albacete). Spain
T: +34 967 582356
export@cebollascifuentes.es
www.cebollascifentes.es