Due to a series of difficulties in cultivation and organization, the Spanish fruit and vegetable season is far from being stable at the moment. Similarly, no consistent line can be drawn for the iceberg lettuce under the Ilfres brand and the citrus under the Juicì brand in Italy. However, despite the many challenges, there is no shortage of opportunities for those who somehow can align cultivation and sales.
After a week-long visit to the main growing partners in Valencia, Murcia and Almería, the commercial director of Ilfres, an Italian company specializing in fruit and vegetable imports, Raffaele Lasciarrea, outlined the situation.
“For iceberg lettuce growers, weather conditions have already been unfavorable since December, when high temperatures caused overproduction, resulting in low prices. Batches that were not of sufficient quality were destroyed in the fields. Frost then paralyzed the growth of the product again in January. Prices skyrocketed and it was extremely difficult to stockpile, even for us, even though we work with annual programs."
Despite multiple challenges, Ilfres has continued to deliver product while also always informing its customers of the problems that arose. "The decline in sales, which is understandable in light of high prices, was particularly evident in wholesale markets. Demand from supermarket chains was more stable. In the next two weeks the supply situation should improve and with Easter ahead, demand will also pick up again, which should prevent a sudden collapse in prices."
Ilfres' main growing partners also pointed out the challenges for the citrus sector this season, with about 30% less product. As it looks now, supplies could dry up in early April, which will make it necessary for programs with supermarket chains to schedule Egyptian imports. At the end of the Italian season, Ilfres will offset the drop in production in Spain with its usual import operations from Greece.
"In addition to the problem of increased growing costs, the sector in the southeast of Spain is burdened by a government decision on inter-river water transfers that will limit irrigation options for growers and protests took place in the capital Madrid. In other words, the scenario is complex and delicate, and the outcome is anything but predictable."
For more information:
ILFRES Srl
Via Copenaghen 7
76011 - Bisceglie (BT) - Italy
+39 080 3925085
info@ilfres.com
lfres.com