According to the exporter, there are currently shortages at overseas destinations because Argentina had problems with its crops and its trade relations with China are deteriorating due to the current socioeconomic context. "For this reason, and because our garlic has better quality than the Chinese, they are paying good prices."
Moreover, "there are countries that traditionally import from China, but which demand larger volumes of violet and purple garlic to ensure differentiation. Consumers identify purple garlic for its appearance and quality as a Spanish product and demand for it is on the rise. This year, because of shortages on the market, we have also shipped containers of purple garlic," states José Calatayud.
"We are planning to boost the sale of garlic in overseas destinations because we have the volumes and we like to work with it. It is a product that usually arrives in good condition to its destination at temperatures of -3 °C, not deteriorating as quickly as citrus fruits, and that gives us safety. Furthermore, and most importantly, we see that demand is rising significantly. We will additionally work on products derived from garlic, like black garlic, dehydrated garlic and peeled garlic cloves, for which there are important potential markets," he affirms.
From losing Russia and Ukraine to opening trade routes overseas
Agrofresh Consortium is a consortium of partners that is responsible for the marketing of the products grown, making also purchases from third parties to be able to offer a full range of fruits and vegetables. Agrofresh is almost entirely devoted to exporting.
"We first started in Russia and Ukraine, where we managed to gain quite a considerable market share, but since the introduction of the veto not only has it become harder to access them, but they have also become deteriorating markets," points out the exporter.
But this has given the Valencian company some opportunities, such as the opening of trade routes with overseas markets, increasingly specialising in non-EU countries and devoting less and less resources to traditional markets.
"We have already filled the gap left by Russia and Ukraine and are back to the turnover levels of two years ago," assures José Calatayud. "We now have presence in some other markets."
"We have a special interest in Asia when it comes to oranges, mandarins, lemons and kakis. Asian markets are very demanding as regards quality. At present, we are already making shipments of Lane oranges, as they have been better accepted than the Navelinas. There is room for Spanish citrus fruits in Asia, especially in those markets that are looking for products with an outstanding quality compared to those of other origins, such as Egypt, in the case of oranges and lemons."
For more information:
José Calatayud
Agrofresh Export Consortium
T: +34 963911591
M: +34 692137445
jose.calatayud@agrofresh.es
www.agrofresh.es