The table grape season in the coast of Murcia started on June 6 for Grupo El Ciruelo, one of the Spanish companies that starts harvesting the earliest thanks to their extra early varieties.
"We started harvesting the seedless white grapes we grow on the coast, which we cover with plastic to advance their harvest and to ensure the fruit sets well," said Cristina Gutierrez, Sales Manager of Grupo El Ciruelo.
Volumes are normal but, according to Cristina Gutierrez, they are not enough to meet the high demand right now. "Consumption is very fast, as the European market for table grapes is hungry. Egypt and Morocco have ended their season earlier than usual and with difficulties. Most European operators want to start buying Spanish grapes when our campaign begins because of our quality and food safety. At present, we have trouble meeting all the demand there is, it's crazy."
"We think that things will improve once the other companies in Murcia and Alicante start their production in about ten days. However, as there is such a high demand, we expect to have a good season," she added.
"Spain will consume much more seedless grapes in the future"
90% of El Ciruelo's table grape production is of the seedless variety, except for the Red Globe and Dominga varieties, which do have seeds.
Europe mostly demands seedless grapes, except the Mediterranean arc, Spain, France, and Italy, which still consume more grapes with seeds. That trend, however, is gradually changing and the preference for seedless grapes is growing. "A few years ago there were very few sales of seedless grapes in Spain, now most supermarkets have a section devoted to them. This is largely due to the important varietal revolution that has been taking place in recent years. The new varieties available offer a new world of flavors, allow extending the campaign and working with the right varieties at the time; they are very adapted to the tastes of the Spanish consumer," said Cristina Gutierrez.
"The kids that try seedless grapes ask their parents for more, and they'll probably not eat grapes with seeds in the future," she stated. "In addition, the influx of tourists in summer also increases sales, and have an influence on the Spaniards' consumer trends. There is no doubt that the seedless grapes are the future. They are an improved grape and are very tasty. Who buys a car without power windows nowadays? They're not even manufactured anymore. This is a new world for grapes," she concluded.
For more information:
Cristina GutiérrezGrupo El Ciruelo
M: +34 629 253 150
T: +34 968 630 645