The snowstorms and frosts recorded in early January took a toll on a large part of the vegetable production in the Iberian Peninsula, although to a much lesser extent in Portugal. While the impact of these adversities was most noticeable in cauliflower and broccoli, it hardly made a dent in the cabbage family.
The lower supply of Spanish products made European importers set their sights on Portugal. "There was an increase in the demand, not only from our regular customers, but also from new contacts. When Spain has problems supplying vegetables, buyers look to Portugal as an alternative. That is when they are surprised not only by the quality of the vegetables, but also by of our ability to adapt and respond to requests," says Gonçalo Pereira, general manager of VGT Portugal.
The prices of Portuguese open ground vegetables shot up due to the lack of Spanish supply and there is still an upward trend. "Prices continue to be high, and not only because of Spain's problems. If it isn't possible to harvest good quality products in France, Italy or other producing areas of central Europe, prices rise constantly, and this is what has been happening since last month. Although Spain's volumes are going back to normal, France has a shortage of quality supply in products such as leeks, turnips and cabbage," says Gonçalo Pereira.
VGT Portugal produces mainly savoy, beaked, red, and red and white beaked cabbage, as well as leeks, butternut squash, and Muskat, Hokkaido and Halloween pumpkins. We supply year-round and typically aim to maximize our capacity. We have two locations that are allowing us to increase our productions and meet the demand of new large distribution customers across Europe," says the highest representative of this Portuguese company.
"We are able to offer these products before Spain, and the characteristics of the climate and soil where we grow them give our vegetables a distinctive quality. The specialization that we have achieved in recent years and the continuous improvement in the production and handling processes, together with our long-term collaboration with competitive logistics operators, make us believe that we are at the same level as other players in Spain or other origins."
"Even exotic products have the potential to be grown in Portugal, as there is a great diversity of areas with microclimates, some of them just a few kilometers away. This is an attribute that is making Portugal very competitive in the international fruit and vegetable markets," says Gonçalo Pereira.
For more information:
Tânia Silva
VGT PORTUGAL Lda
Zona Industrial de Alpiarça, Rua F, lote 128
2090-242 Alpiarça, Portugal
T: +351 912 742 323
tania@vgt.pt
www.vgt.pt