The first kilos of peaches have been sent to the auctions this week in Zaragoza. The markets have started slowly and prices are not similar to those obtained last year. There is a difference of about 0.50 euros between the price paid at the start of last year's campaign and this one. "It didn't go well this morning; we sold the goods for prices well below what we expected, around 1 Euro," explains Pilar Arnal, of Frutas Bayo.
This year there has been more production due to the favourable weather conditions; a factor that always has an impact on prices in the market. "We have carried out intense thinnings, removing up to half of the flowers in the spring in order to obtain bigger calibres and differentiate ourselves from the rest," comments Arnal. However, despite this, they have had 15% more production than in the previous year. "Similar and even greater increases have been recorded by other producers in the area, since they have not carried out any thinnings."
It is also remarkable that the price of the fruit for canning is also somewhat lower than in previous seasons. "We have looked into the issue and we believe that the price paid amounts to about 0.24 Euro, when it should normally reach 0.30 Euro." The large volume of peaches available in the market and "the decisions taken by large companies are having an influence on prices, which are not favourable for everyone," adds Arnal.
For more information:
Pilar Arnal Iliarte
Frutas Bayo – Sociedad Arnal Iliarte
Tel.: +34 622 86 75 39