According to the producer, the delay has affected many producing areas and is the result of a delay in the flowering; however, a campaign with an abundant production and good quality is expected, given the low incidence of strong winds and hail.
"Overall, we expect a greater volume than last campaign, especially for the Royal Gala, since yields are high and new plantations are becoming productive. For granny apples, the fall in volume will be very significant. Moreover, we'll obtain a similar production of Fuji and also record growth with the Golden and red varieties."
This week, the Catalan company has made its first apple sales in a relatively empty market and with somewhat higher prices. "Prices for the Gala are about 5 cents higher than at the start of last season, but it is still too early to know if this price will be maintained; however, we are optimistic, because, in general, Europe has recorded a 6% drop in the production," points out Miquel Roig.
"Last year, calibres were very small, and although we are only starting out and don't have enough volume yet to estimate an average, we do expect to have an slightly higher sizes, especially in Granny and Fuji, which is advantageous for their sale in the domestic market, but which makes it also difficult to export, as in those markets we are asked for smaller sizes."
Miquel Roig highlights a shift in the consumption of apples in Spain, because "while in the past small calibre apples were hardly sold, in recent years demand has been on the rise. Nowadays, 60% of our apple sales correspond to medium and small sizes," he states.
The company, based in Sant Pere Pescador, is specialised in the sale of apples to supermarket chains in Spain, the country where most of its volumes are going, with just 15 to 20% intended for export.
For more information:
Miquel Roig i Heras
Fructícola Empordà
Dr. Narcís de Ciurana, 12
Sant Pere Pescador. Girona.
T: + 34 972520000
mroig@empordasl.com
www.fructicolaemporda.cat