"Spain: "Broccoli supply insufficient to cover all demand"

Murcia's broccoli export campaign, Europe's most important in terms of volume, has kicked off with slight delays compared to previous years, as warmer temperatures have extended the season for some traditional European importers. "Despite the fact that we produce broccoli all year round, this week we have started working with clients from all over Europe, mainly distribution chains and supermarkets," explains Jesús Abenza, Manager of Alimer.

According to the exporter, temperatures only need to drop a little for the quality of the broccoli to improve, "but it seems that the campaign will have a good start, without any of the complications experienced last year," which was one of the most difficult in recent memory, with very severe quality and availability problems. "Events like last year's are very negative for the sector, even though prices reached all-time highs."

"Our goal is to maintain similar production volumes every year, but there is a noticed reduction in the yield per hectare this season compared to a normal campaign. Consequently, there is no overstock and fresh supply is starting to be insufficient to cover all demand, which makes things easier to negotiate prices and reach a fairer position in the market," affirms Jesús Abenza.

With an annual production of 32,000 tonnes of broccoli, Alimer has become Spain's largest producer. The company makes its own selection of the best seeds and produces its vegetables with advice from its own field technicians. Alimer also owns a processing and packing plant adapted to the needs of the most demanding clients.

For more information:
Jesús Abenza, Manager
Alimer S.Coop.
Camino de Villaespesa, s/n. Lorca, Spain
+34 968 460 812
j.abenza@alimer.es
www.alimer.es