Spain is the largest producer and exporter of cauliflower and broccoli in the European Union. In 2020, according to data provided by FAOSTAT, the Spanish production of both vegetables doubled that of the next largest EU producer, Italy, and tripled that of France, in third place. The difference was even greater in the case of exports, since more than 50% of the broccoli and cauliflower grown in Spain is shipped outside its borders, so Spanish exports were almost 4 times greater in terms of volume than those of its closest competitor, France.
FHF broccoli farm.
These figures show Spain's strength in the segment, although this year the weather has been a determining factor for the sector in many Spanish regions, as in Navarra.
"Broccoli is a vegetable that withstands sudden changes in temperature, although this season it has been suffering the impact of persistent frosts that have paralyzed its growth. Our area has also been affected by the overflowing of the Ebro River, which flooded farms that took several days to drain and caused their production to be lost. The production loss due to all these reasons is estimated at around 40%," says Sara Oliver, Manager of FHF (Frutas y Hortalizas de Fontellas). "As for cauliflowers, part of the production has also been frozen due to low temperatures."
This fluctuation in the production in Navarre adds to the impact that the dry weather is causing in more southern regions of the Iberian Peninsula.
"Our broccoli production reached 2,000,000 kilos last season. Most of the volume is harvested between October and February, when we produced 1,400,000 kilos, and the rest of the production, 600,000 kilos, corresponded to spring plantings, which were harvested between May and June. In the 2020/21 campaign we also produced 2,000,000 kilos of cauliflowers, with November to February being the period with the highest volumes."
"In this latest campaign, the results won't be as good, since contracts were closed and production costs are on the rise due to the continuous increases in the price of raw materials," says Sara. However, broccoli and cauliflower marketing continues to show great dynamism.
"We are diversifying our sales with all kinds of customers. We supply our products both to wholesalers (freezers, canneries) and markets (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao) and small companies. We also work with the United Kingdom, where sales have increased notably this year."
"We have always considered broccoli an export product, but for some time now, we have been seeing our sales increase in the domestic market. Thanks to this, we are marketing the products in different formats to be able to reach different consumers," says Sara.
"Soy Fan de Ti" ("I'm your fan") broccoli box.
Active participation in promoting broccoli demand
FHF's origins go back to the 1940's, when Julio Orta, grandfather of Diego Orta, owner of FHF, started growing and selling cereal in Fontellas. Ever since, the company has become a leader in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits, specializing in cauliflower, broccoli and Tudela artichokes (PGI), with the latter two certified with the Reyno Gourmet quality seal, as well as apples, peaches, pears and nectarines.
Diego Orta.
However, broccoli is highly important for them. "We have been growing broccoli for 15 years. Right now, it is our second biggest crop in terms of production. In our area, consumption is on the rise, especially among younger people. Looking after our health is trendy, and broccoli is a very healthy food."
"Besides, we have been collaborating for five years with the +brócoli association, to which we have actively belonged since last year. We are organizing various activities in schools and public spaces during the celebration of the Vegetable Festival in Tudela and Ribera de Navarra, which this year will hold its 28th edition from April 19 to May 3."
"For this year, in fact, we have proposed several activities, including an online workshop in the schools of La Ribera, with La Pandi, the visit of a nutritionist to schools to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and a cooking workshop."
Sara Oliver with mascot Brocolín, of the +brócoli association.
FHF ECO
This season, the company has started its activity as organic producer with the subsidiary FHF ECO. The goal is to expand the farms devoted to organic production in the framework of its "commitment to healthy living and the environment," says Sara, although this is not the only project they have undertaken in recent months.
"In the past few months, we have launched a packaging line, with new machinery to film broccoli by units/pieces. We also have a new electronic weighbridge scale with platform for weighing trucks and trailers, and we have just launched a photovoltaic installation for self-consumption placed on the roof of the warehouse. For the future, we are planning to expand the offices; in fact, we are looking into possibilities for the design.
Box of Tudela artichokes from FHF.
"We will be actively participating in Fruit Attraction with our own stand after two years absent due to the pandemic. We are excited about resuming this activity; everything will depend on the planned restrictions," says Sara.
For more information:
FHF, Frutas y Hortalizas de Fontellas
Avda. Navarra 70 - 31512 Fontellas, Navarre, Spain
Tel.: +34 948 825 916
info@fhfontellas.com
https://fhfontellas.com