The Spanish lettuce export season started between weeks 42 and 45, coinciding with the end of the local productions at the destination countries. At the moment, the demand is a bit quiet, but is expected to become livelier as the Christmas season approaches.
"This year we have started exporting a little earlier, with a better balance between supply and demand, but also with hardly any differences between the volumes at the start of this season and those of the previous one," said Alina Vasilica, from the commercial department of Murciana de Vegetales.
However, the demand has been slowing down since mid-November. "Historically, sales are weaker at the end of November and beginning of December, and we hope that, as we see every year, they will go back to normal in mid-December," said Alina.
"Although we don't produce conventional Iceberg lettuce, the current drop in prices ends up having an impact not only on the organic production, which we do produce, but also on the sales of other kinds of lettuce, such as Romaine, especially in supermarket chains," said the sales representative.
"The demand from the Horeca channel, on the other hand, is focused on more specific varieties; however, we expect sales to improve as the Christmas holidays approach," she said.
For the time being, the Murcian company has not been affected by the water shortage. "We are not so much affected by the water shortage, as the areas where our productions are located are sufficiently diversified and, since we do not cultivate in summer in the southern area, we manage to store water for the winter campaign. However, it is worrying that the drought is lasting longer," said Alina.
Founded in 1991, the family business annually produces and markets around 15 tons of Romaine, Mini Romaine, Little Gem, Frillice or Little Gem Sweet Hearts (whose market launch they pioneered), as well as their exclusive red leaf varieties Cresta and Caribou. "While we also grow some volumes for the free market, we focus primarily on programs with our customers, who are located in central, eastern and northern Europe, and we also make shipments further afield to destinations such as Canada and Dubai."
For more information:
Alina Vasilica
G.H. Murciana de Vegetales
T: +34 968 15 12 22
M: +34 667 975 472
comercial5@ghmurcianadevegetales.com www.ghmurcianadevegetales.com