Frutos Los Pisaos expects to close the 2015-2016 season with a 24% growth of the marketed production compared to the previous year, when it reached 8,500,000 kilos; a figure achieved taking into account all new products, such as purple artichoke, broccoli, curly cabbage, orange beet and early potatoes. Chinese and pointed cabbage and sweet potato are the products accounting for the greatest volume.
Organic sweet potatoes, a product with rising demand
In late July, the firm will start harvesting sweet potatoes, with plans to reach more than 3 million kilos. "Sweet potatoes have long been considered as a product of little value, a 'food for the poor'," explains Francisco Rosillo, seller at Frutos Los Pisaos. "Now things have changed; the product's popularity is growing in central and northern European countries, such as Germany, Denmark and Norway, as well as in the United States and Canada, where shipments are on the rise."
Organic production growing faster than demand
In recent years, the cultivation of organic fruits and vegetables in Spain has grown considerably. While it is true that the consumption of such products continues to grow, Franciso Rosillo believes that "profitability is not as high as most producers would think, since the work involved is much more complex. Profitability is declining and it seems that this trend will continue if supply continues to exceed demand."
"Europe importing organic products from Africa is outrageous"
"In my experience the visits to greenhouses and warehouses on this continent, the conditions of the workers are deeply troubling and undignified," he says. "We believe that the philosophy behind organic production entails a little more than just using natural production methods; it must also look to ensure the welfare of producers and labourers. Africa has great potential, but as long as such policies continue and the Spanish and European companies set up there allow them, we believe it is outrageous for those products to be allowed into Europe."
About Frutos Los Pisaos
Frutos Los Pisaos, S.L. is a family business based in Motril, Granada, founded in 2003, which sells and produces organic vegetables in over 100 hectares it owns in the provinces of Granada and Malaga.
Initially a producer of green leafy vegetables, in 2013 it started marketing its products from its warehouse located in Motril, which is currently in a process of expansion to incorporate machinery for the marketing of new products, such as organic avocado. Furthermore, the company aims to obtain new certifications, including the IFS and BioSuisse.