Extremadura's Cooperatives Association (ACOPAEX) will increase its tomato export volumes this year by around 20% as a result of an acreage expansion and the higher levels of demand.
The president of ACOPAEX, Domingo Fernández, pointed out that the last two campaigns have been characterised by drops in production volumes, which were due not only to adverse weather conditions, but also to the accumulated stock in warehouses.
The tomato supplies stocked during the years 2012 and 2013 have already run out, which leads producers to devote a larger number of hectares to the crop and, consequently, to obtain better contracts with their clients.
This expansion strategy will entail adding between 500 and 800 hectares to the 20,000 already cultivated in 2012. Production volumes should increase by around 60,000 tonnes compared to last year's 300,000, according to Fernández.
ACOPAEX expects to recover the average production levels it used to reach before 2012 and be able to cover all demand.
Germany will remain the main importer of Extremaduran tomatoes, followed by the United Kingdom, Italy and France.
Extremaduran growers now expect the quality of this year's production to be good, although, as stated by Fernández, it will all depend on how favourable the weather is this spring in terms of rainfall. It will also be essential for no night frosts to take place, as the crop will often be left unprotected.
Tomatoes are Extremadura's second largest export product, after fruit.
Source: Finanzas.com