The export of walnuts produced in Argentina is increasingly necessary; in fact, there is currently a lot of demand for this product on the international market. For example, the US exports almost 5,000 tonnes every six months to Europe, but this situation is not beneficial for Argentinian producers, who see the work of intermediaries and the instability of the peso against the dollar severely reducing the value of the nut.José Rocha Producción Nogalera has proposed to start with the direct export of its walnuts to avoid an unfavourable situation. Mariano Martini, a consultant for the company, tells us that they have been exporting to the international market through Argentinian and Chilean wholesalers, who buy it "at a very low price and sell it at a very high price, consequently harming both producers and consumers, as well as the product's reputation."
According to Mariano, "the main reason why the company wants to export directly is because we aim to improve the value of this much appreciated product and obtain a greater profitability in the purchasing processes, avoiding intermediaries that cause prices to rise." To achieve this goal, exports will go mainly to Italy, Germany and Spain, which are the biggest consumers of walnuts at the moment."
Also, the company has a storage system that makes it possible to store the nut for up to 30 months without it losing a bit of quality, which allows them to have a production ready for sale all year round, even though the harvest season starts in March and lasts just until May. "This is something that other companies do not have; therefore, we face barely any competition in the months of the year when the nut is not in season."
Mariano also tells us that the company does not use any type of chemical products for the drying and cleaning of its walnuts. It works with "its own wind-powered system, unique in the area, so we are talking about a fully organic and environmentally-friendly product."
The company José Rocha produces its walnuts in a farm located on a hill at 1,850 metres above sea level; a location with a very special microclimate that gives its nuts an exceptional flavour and quality. But the climate is not the only reason for the great quality of this nut; it is also because the walnuts are of the Chandler variety (also known as California nuts), but which have been grafted onto trees of the Sorrento variety.
"With this cross of walnut varieties, we have managed to obtain large and appealing walnuts, like the Chandler, reaching calibres of about 30-32 millimetres with a dark coppery colour, but with the classic flavour of a Sorrento walnut, much more pleasant and soft on the palate."For more information:
Mariano Martini
José Rocha Producción NogaleraArgentina