The Spanish autumn/winter vegetable season is already underway with the first volumes, although the supply is still limited. This year there have been changes in the distribution of the planted area in Almeria, where tomatoes are expanding again, and zucchini is losing ground. In general, there could be greater production compared to last year if the weather is good; however, there is also uncertainty about how European food consumption will be affected by inflation.
From left to right: Carlos Glindemann, commercial director, next to Ibán Martos, manager of Agro Red&Green.
"Although Spanish greenhouse vegetables are starting to arrive in the markets, the production is not yet very significant. At the moment, we are still working with some summer programs for zucchini, but we won't have stable volumes of everything until week 42, coinciding with the international fair Fruit Attraction in Madrid," says Carlos Glindemann, commercial director of the trading company Agro Red & Green.
The company, based in Roquetas de Mar, Almeria, was created by the third generation of a family rooted in the world of agriculture and with experience in the market. The firm closed the 2021-2022 campaign with a turnover of around 30 million Euro generated from the marketing of products such as bell pepper, tomato, eggplant, zucchini, lettuce, broccoli, kale, cabbage and watermelon, among others.
"The rise in the production, handling and transport costs is a cause for concern, as the price of the product also needs to increase, and the large distribution chains are not always willing to understand this, although we must also bear in mind that if we raise the prices of fresh produce too much, their consumption will suffer. We, who work with closed programs with supermarket chains and fresh-cut processing companies, have already agreed to raise prices by 10-15% for this season," said Carlos Glindemann.
Germany and the Netherlands are two of the main export markets for Agro Red&Green, which also ships to countries such as Denmark, Hungary, etc. "The German and Dutch governments are preparing for 'the worst' this winter, as they foresee that the economy will suffer due, among other things, to the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine. One of Germany's measures is the provision of advice to the poorest citizens on how to plan the grocery shopping."
The team at Agro Red&Green.
"All this is waking fears among consumers and will surely have an impact on purchasing decisions. I have German ancestry and many friends in this country. Some of them, despite having a good job and a good salary, have preferred to give up their vacations this year because of what might happen this winter. Germans are very forward-thinking people, and this is a bad sign," he says.
"Given these circumstances, I predict a vegetable campaign with more volumes and many price oscillations. Third countries such as Morocco, whose yields are improving every year, could take good advantage of this situation to continue positioning themselves in the EU market, as they can afford to compete with very aggressive prices, given the precarious conditions of their workers," warns Carlos Glindemann.
"Our team will be present in the main fruit and vegetable markets to collaborate and advise on matters regarding the origin of the products. We have very strong ties with growers and customers with whom we have grown together. In fact, many of them are like family," said Agro Red&Green's commercial director.
For more information:
Carlos Glindemann
Agro Red&Green
Centro de Negocios Carrida Planta 3 Oficina 5
04740 Aguadulce- Roquetas de Mar, Almería. Spain
T: +34 950 107 337
c.glindemann@agroredandgreen.com
www.agroredandgreen.com