"Spain: "Promotions in the US help us sell more sweet potatoes"

The sweet potato campaign is currently in full swing; the harvest started in mid-August in San Lucar de Barrameda, the main producing area in Spain, the only European country with an exportable production of this crop.

"Yields per square metre are lower this year due to the impact of the weather conditions during the spring. The sizes are also smaller, but there is plenty of demand for small sizes, which is an advantage. Prices remain at similar levels to those recorded last season, although sales are going faster," explains Juan Manuel Rodríguez, manager of the cooperative FRUSANA.

Sweet potato consumption continues to increase year after year worldwide, and this is reflected in the growth of its production. "Last season, we had a harvest of 10,500 tonnes and this year we expect around 13,000 tonnes. We continue to expand by around 25-30% annually," explains Juan Manuel Rodríguez, manager of the cooperative FRUSANA. "It's a profitable crop for the producer and we hope that won't change."

"The UK is the country with the fastest growing demand by far, followed by Germany, although we also export a lot to Belgium and the Netherlands. Spain has always been a consumer of the sweet potato variety called California, while in the rest of Europe they demand others, like the Beaurregard or Georgia Jets," pointed out the expert.

According to Juan Manuel Rodríguez, most large supermarket chains increasingly want to bring this product to their shelves. "In the past, it used to be considered an exotic product, but fortunately, the tuber and its properties are becoming increasingly popular. The United States is carrying out great promotions, which is good for us all. We supply sweet potatoes across Europe for both the fresh market and the processing sector, especially for infant feeding and for the production of fried chips."

At present, Spanish sweet potatoes compete with those from Egypt and Israel. According to the producer and exporter, "they manage to introduce their product into Europe at lower prices. This is our greatest handicap."

The harvest will last until mid-December, but thanks to the product's preservation in chambers at about 15 degrees, the campaign may be extended a few weeks.

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