Spain: Asparagus campaign kicks off with good sales

With Mexican asparagus supplies already running low, Spanish asparagus are starting to take over the shelves in European shops and supermarkets. "The few Mexican asparagus remaining no longer meet the expected quality conditions," explains Francisco Delgado, manager of Los Gallombares, a company devoted to the production and sale of asparagus from Granada, as well as to the import of Peruvian and Mexican asparagus during the off-season.

"We have greatly benefited from Mexico's asparagus campaign, as the country had oversupply and this drove prices down. Additionally, purchasing in dollars and selling in Euro has also given us an advantage."

Unlike Granada's 2013 asparagus campaign, which started with delays of up to 30 days, this year everything is taking place on schedule, as the mild weather conditions we had were ideal for the plant's development. Production volumes are thus expected to be normal.

"As long as nothing unexpected happens, in a week's time we will have harvested around 30% of the production. The good thing about this season is that there has been no overlap between producers from different countries; that is why it is positive for Spanish asparagus not to arrive too early, as they would share the market with the Mexican produce, which is sold for 3 Euro/kilo in Switzerland, while Spanish asparagus reach up to 4 Euro/kilo," explains Francisco Delgado.

For now, market demand is good and sales are going smoothly a month before Easter, when asparagus consumption normally increases. "Our production volumes by Easter should allow us to obtain good prices, given the volumes of demand."

In addition to Spain, the European market is the main destination for Los Gallombares' asparagus, which are exported to countries like Switzerland, France, Germany, Denmark, the UK, Austria or the Netherlands.

Marketed under the brands La Joya and Luxor, the asparagus are packed in cardboard and wooden boxes of 300, 400 or 500 grams. "The latest additions in this sense have been the 125 and 150 gram plastic trays of asparagus tips, which are gaining popularity in the United Kingdom."

Los Gallombarescontinues to grow
This year, Los Gallombares expanded its acreage by another 200 hectares, reaching 1,400 hectares, from which they expect to harvest over 4.6 million kilos. The company has also acquired a new 4,000 square metre warehouse, incorporating a new cooperative and giving employment to 140 more people.

For more information:
Francisco Delgado
Los Gallombares S.C.A
Ctra. de Priego, s/n
Ventorros de San Jose Loja. Granada, Spain.
T: +34 958315195
esp@losgallombares.es
www.losgallombares.es