According to Afrucat, the Fruit Business Association of Catalonia, apple and pear deliveries from Catalan chambers have grown by between 50 and 100%, depending on the species and variety, compared to a normal week in March.
The sector attributes this growth in the demand to the alarm caused by the coronavirus.
This means that the data collected up to February 29, which shows a higher level for both apples and pears compared to February 2020 (187,735 tons for apples; 29% higher than last year. 41,796 tons for pears; 4% higher than in 2019), are not relevant at this time, so we'll have to wait and see how sales develop in the coming days.
Strict measures at plants
The Catalan fruit plants have been working for a few days to enforce even stricter operating protocols and hygienic, operational and accessibility standards in all facilities.
The spread of the disease must be avoided by establishing strict and clear hygiene protocols: disinfection of people, entry and exit circuits, separation of workers in the workplace, frequency of replacement of latex gloves, avoiding the use of common areas; maintaining a safe distance when talking to colleagues, periodically disinfecting work surfaces, etc.
Work shifts have also been temporarily redesigned, and it is recommended to limit access to the headquarters / offices to the strictly necessary personnel.
Lastly, we must take into account the statements made by representatives of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), who have stressed that "previous outbreaks have shown us that transmission does not happen through food consumption."
For more information:
Catalan Fruit Business Association, AFRUCAT
Edificio Espai Fruita, C/ Corregidor Escofet, 64, 25005 Lleida, Spain
Tel. +34 973 220 149
administracio@afrucat.com
www.afrucat.com