The Andalusian subtropical sector achieved never before seen figures last season. It's worth noting that avocado production decreased by 25% over the previous season, according to information provided by the Observatory of Prices and Markets of the Junta de Andalucía, and that the supply in Europe was under pressure by Spain and other actors.
However, the high demand for this fruit, despite the restrictions in the Horeca channel due to the pandemic, pushed the average price of Andalusian avocado to € 2.75/kg, i.e. 18% more than in the previous season and 28% higher than in the 2018/19 campaign. As a result, avocado achieved its highest average price since there are records in the Observatory. Mango also showed a very positive development, registering a 31% increase in the average price at origin over the 2019 campaign, according to the Andalusian body, reaching € 1.42/kg. This year both fruits continue to show the strength of the subtropical sector in Andalusia.
“We are in the middle of the avocado campaign. There are good prices so far, perhaps somewhat lower than in other years, but we expect an increase in avocado production at the national level this year as new farms in other provinces will start producing it,” stated Alvaro, a technician at the Spanish Tropical Association.
“The volume of the mango campaign has been very similar to that of last season. We have had quite a bit of competition with other origins so the harvest is slower than usual. Having fewer water resources has not helped us at all. The mango matured earlier in the tree due to the high temperatures in summer and the lack of irrigation. As a result, the production level declined more than in previous years.”
"In general, however, the quality of the fruit has been good and the sizes have been quite homogeneous," he stressed. “We think next year's production will be lower; however, we continue to update new cultivation methods to regulate mango and avocado production.”
"We are convinced that the future of the tropical sector in Andalusia requires a more efficient production. The sector is already planting varieties that will allow extending the campaign, such as the Lamb Hass avocado or the Keitt mango, and many old mango and avocado farms are being renovated. In fact, renewing the plantations from time to time in order to continue growing at the production level is quite important. This growth is not only taking place in Malaga and Granada; areas rich in water and with optimal conditions for growing tropical crops, such as Cadiz and Huelva, are also growing both fruits.”
Water resources are, in fact, one of the sector's great challenges throughout Andalusia, he stressed. The rains of the last few days were very well received in an autonomous community that just experienced a year with a lack of rainfall. The lack of water has been classified as 'severe' and 'extraordinary' in different agrarian regions. However, as the sector has been claiming for years, improving infrastructure is vital in order to optimize the resources available in the community.
“We are currently in that fight so we can increase our water resources. It is a fundamental factor for our sector to continue evolving and growing. We can't forget that this sector plays an important role in Andalusia's economic development and workplace.”
Differentiated quality
Andalusian tropical fruits, and specifically avocado and mango, are highly appreciated by European consumers, as shown by the export figures and the increase in per capita consumption. Since they are produced on the continent, they are considered a product of European proximity and have superior organoleptic characteristics than the imported fruit because the shorter transit times to their destination allow them to achieve a greater natural maturation on the tree, which is reflected in their flavor. The Spanish Tropical Association is making great strides so that this differentiated quality is officially recognized.
"This year we are already working to launch the Mango Quality Seal, and we'll possibly also launch an Avocado Quality Seal later on," Alvaro stated. "However, our goal is to be able to develop the protected geographical indication for our mangoes and avocados in the future," he added.
For more information:
Asociación Española de Tropicales
Avda. Condado de Huelva, 9
29740 Torre del Mar, Málaga (España)
Tel.: +34 952 96 58 24
[email protected]
www.asociaciondetropicales.net