Last week, the first Bacon smooth greenskin avocados started to be marketed on the coast of Granada and Malaga, with lower production volumes compared to the previous season. "The quality tests already revealed minimum levels of fat content (19 degrees), which means that they are ready to be shipped to the markets," says Fernando Martín, manager of the Procam Bio cooperative, which is specialized in organic subtropical fruits and vegetables.
According to the producer and exporter, although there wasn't a bad flowering, the high temperatures in spring and summer had an impact on the fruit setting; one of the main reasons why the harvest is smaller compared to last year.
At the moment, prices are very good for the first Bacon. “The prices of both organic and conventional avocados are reasonably good. The only difference lies in the small sizes, which are sold very well and with higher prices in the organic market. With the large sizes, there is hardly any difference between the organic and conventional,” says Fernando Martín.
The harvest of the Fuerte, which also has a smooth skin, is expected to start soon, and the Hass, which will be the most demanded as soon as it hits the shelves, will arrive in November, causing smooth skin sales and prices to fall. “That is why our producers continue to convert Bacon avocado plantations into Hass production sites. In the last 4 years, we have increased the area devoted to mangoes and avocados and we expect a continuous growth of the volumes in the coming years.”
Growth of acreage and volume of Kent and Keitt
The mango harvest is ready for Procam. "While Spain in general expects the mango production to fall due to low yields, the firm's volumes will grow, given that the acreage has been expanded," says Fernando Martín. "We expect a shorter campaign this year, as the fruit is ripening quickly in the trees due to the warm temperatures."
Unlike most mango producing companies in Malaga and Granada, which mainly produce Osteen, this cooperative is specialized in Kent and Keitt varieties. "We focus on later mango varieties, as that allows us to avoid the busy period following the arrival of the Osteen."
For more information:
Fernando Martín Calllejón (Manager)
PROCAM BIO.
Ctra Almería km. 1,6- Motril, Granada. Spain
T: +34 958600306
direccion@procamsca.com
www.procamsca.com