Extremadura is Spain's main plum-producing area and it's already in the middle of the plum campaign. So far, demand has remained high and prices are very acceptable as there is no more Chilean fruit in the European market. At the moment, there is a production gap between two of the reference plum varieties. Meanwhile, the demand for and the prices of nectarine and peach have suffered a great fall.
“The first leg of the plum campaign has been very positive,” stated José Aurelio García, Explum's manager. “The Spanish plum arrived at an ideal moment, as the Angeleno from Chile disappeared from the markets much earlier than usual this year.”
In the first two weeks of harvesting Black Splendor plum there was a high demand for plum,” the manager of this cooperative stated, adding that demand has remained stable so far. “In fact, at the moment there is a gap of about 15 days between Black Spendor, whose harvest is practically over, and Crimson Globe, the reference variety that follows it. This is helping to maintain prices. The usual thing is that both varieties overlap and, therefore, there is more supply pressure.”
According to José Aurelio García, “There are enough plums in this campaign but the volumes are lower than last year, a year in which there was an oversupply. Sales are working well so far, both in Europe and overseas.”
Stunning fall in nectarine and peach prices
Peach and nectarine production in Murcia, as well as the early harvest in Extremadura, have been lower this year, especially in the month of May and early June.
“I don't remember ever selling at such expensive prices between the last week of May and the first of June. Since then, prices have fallen so much that I'm starting to be worried about profitability, taking into account the rise in production costs. It's an unflattering situation for these products.”
For more information:
José Aurelio García
Explum SC
T: +34 924446338
M: +34 615289854
jagarcia@explumsc.com
www.explumsc.com