Average courgette prices this campaign remain high for now and production volumes are not expected to increase significantly until early May, given the mild temperatures in Almeria.
"We had a very hot autumn, in which the plants produced in a month and a half what they normally do in almost three months, so in the following months, productivity declined due to plant stress, which was also caused by the lower temperatures and rainfall," explains Francisco Martínez, manager of Agrícolal FranMartos.
Commitment to courgettes, a vegetable with growing consumption
With over twenty years' experience in the production of vegetables, Francisco Martínez recently founded the company Agrícola FranMartos, which this year started exporting to Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Poland with the brand FRESH SUNRISE .
"I started planting cherry tomatoes and specialising in this product, until I decided to go for courgettes, which account for 80% of our volume, and bell peppers. We currently own 40 hectares for the production of courgettes and we hope to double the acreage next season," says the producer.
"Almeria has been increasing the acreage of this vegetable for the past five years, and for now we can assure that the market is absorbing these volumes. Consumption levels for this vegetable are noteworthy, even higher than I thought!"
Francisco uses succession planting methods to be able to have the same volumes throughout the season, which runs from September to June. "Usually in the months of June and September prices are not attractive, but my produce remains available and that way I can keep in touch with my customers for longer," he points out. "Every day we harvest fine black courgettes in several calibres: G, of 400-450 grams and M, of 250 grams, and we handle them in our warehouse, where we also have refrigerated chambers."
The New Delhi Virus, a threat that can be tackled
The New Delhi virus is undoubtedly one of the greatest threats to courgette producers, especially for those with fewer economic resources. However, Francisco Martinez has found a way to tackle it.
"Until recently, courgettes were a relatively easy crop to produce compared to other vegetables, not because of the lower cost of the seeds, but due to the absence of associated diseases and viruses. Those producers with fewer resources and less insulation in their greenhouses are more prone to be affected by the vector insect Bemisia tabaci, better known as whitefly, which can infect their crops with the New Delhi and ruin their entire production, since the use of pesticides in Almeria is very limited," explains Francisco.
"We were able to successfully tackle this disease with the use of oils and natural and environmentally friendly soaps," he affirms.
For more information:
Francisco Martínez
Agrícola FranMartos S.L.
C/ Canjayar, 52 BL.1 3º D. Vícar. Almería. Spain
T:+34 689 673 971
todoblancgerente@gmail.com