According to the Non-Profit Association +Brócoli, the latest season has been "positive" for broccoli, although the growers' profits have not been that great due to the lack of water. "On a climatological level, the summer has been very tough, but prices have remained stable. The demand has been high and the quality good, for the most part," explains Javier Bernabéu, secretary of the entity.
The frosts, which posed a major threat between December 2016 and January 2017, were overcome and there has been a good yield, according to Bernabéu, who also pointed out that the Alternaria, one of the most dangerous pathogens for the plants, has not had much of an impact. This has, in turn, a negative reading, since the fact that there has been no rot because of the lack of rainfall also means that there will not be enough water for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the acreage devoted to the crop has grown by about 1,000 hectares, as it has been doing annually for the last 40 years, thanks also to the consumption growth that is taking place in summer, and which brings the annual average to 10%. However, "the yield in the next season will depend on whether or not there is water or droughts," stressed the secretary of +Brócoli.
The export of Spanish broccoli remains stable, accounting for about 90% of the annual production, although it is expected to grow, despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit, given that the UK is one of the main consumers, and the Russian veto.
Meanwhile, the acreage devoted to the crop has grown by about 1,000 hectares, as it has been doing annually for the last 40 years, thanks also to the consumption growth that is taking place in summer, and which brings the annual average to 10%. However, "the yield in the next season will depend on whether or not there is water or droughts," stressed the secretary of +Brócoli.
The export of Spanish broccoli remains stable, accounting for about 90% of the annual production, although it is expected to grow, despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit, given that the UK is one of the main consumers, and the Russian veto.
Broccoli at the horticultural event of the year
Fruit Attraction, one of the flagship events for the fruit and vegetable sector, held in Ifema (Madrid) from 18 to 20 October, serves as a platform to announce these results, "to communicate with +Brócoli's partners and to recruit new ones, which is essential for the future of the association," concluded Bernabéu.
Fruit Attraction, one of the flagship events for the fruit and vegetable sector, held in Ifema (Madrid) from 18 to 20 October, serves as a platform to announce these results, "to communicate with +Brócoli's partners and to recruit new ones, which is essential for the future of the association," concluded Bernabéu.