Spain: Breva fig harvest delayed by adverse weather conditions

"We hope to make the first shipments of excellent quality figs at the start of week 21," says Teresa Agulló, manager of Alcudia Export Fruit. "Some traders aim to enter the market soon, to take advantage of the high prices paid in a completely empty market. We, however, believe that it is only right to start when the quality of the fruit is optimal; otherwise, the market will be affected," she says.

Our fig trees have two rather different production periods. Breva figs arrive first, between 22 May and 24 June, with large calibres. Then it's time for regular figs, with smaller sizes and a harvest period between 15 July and 15 August.

"We are working with the Colar variety, one of the few with two harvests, which gives us great commercial advantages, since during the Breva fig season we face no competition from other origins. Turkey is a great competitor within the European and Asian markets, but its harvest kicks off in July," says the exporter.

The Breva figs of this Alicante-based company reach the shelves of several Spanish supermarket chains, although around 80% of the production is intended for export, shipped to countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France and Italy. They have also been shipping to Canada by air for several years, and since recently, to distant markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore and some countries in the Middle East.