This month, in which consumption (generally and sometimes thoughtlessly) skyrockets and becomes more selective, exotic, tropical and premium quality foods will be purchased by most households. However, paradoxically, we also see a drop in the demand for Canary bananas, the quintessential Spanish tropical product, with an outstanding production volume in the European continent and a quality accredited by a PGI, as well as a more than affordable price.
"Consumption in December is indeed historically low," says Francisco Alcalde, sales representative at Platania, a group based in Tenerife specializing in Canary bananas, which markets about 25 million kilos every year.
"Moreover, this year has been different, compared to previous years. In 2022, the production was much lower due to the volcano in La Palma and there were significantly fewer kilos, but this year we are seeing the complete opposite. The summer and autumn have been excessively warm and the productions have skyrocketed. The fruits are arriving early and this is forcing us to sell quickly, so the drop in sales is inconvenient at this time."
"In fact, despite the fact that we are exporting bananas to Morocco, about 200,000 kg weekly, and making donations to food banks at a rate of about 12 trucks weekly, the market is still a bit saturated."
Consumer spending being diverted to other foods at this time is having an impact on the consumption of Canary bananas, which already have to face the competition from imported bananas all year round, says Francisco. "Imported bananas have a different taste, because they have to be cut very early to allow them to withstand journeys of 3 or 4 weeks from Latin America or South Africa, compared to the 3 days it takes for the bananas to arrive from the Canary archipelago, but they are also cheaper, although that also depends on the supermarkets."
"Sometimes, large retailers obtain higher commercial margins from Canary bananas than from imported bananas. It's a commercial issue that is out of our control, but we trust that the Plátano de Canarias brand is well recognized by consumers and that there is a great awareness of the benefits of its consumption."
"The price at origin of Canary bananas is set weekly and depends on the production and demand. However, last week, Canary bananas were about 10 cents cheaper than imported bananas, and we can all go to the stores and see the difference in the retail price between the two fruits. In Morocco, where part of our production is exported, and where there is significant banana consumption, Canary bananas are perhaps cheaper due to logistical issues."
"Unfortunately, there is oversupply at the moment," says Francisco Alcalde. "The production usually peaks in the spring, but this time, we may be short of supply then, because everything that is arriving early now could be lacking at that time," he says.
For more information:
Platania
Tenerife headquarters
San Elias, 21.
38009. Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Spain
Tel. 922 220 296
administracion@platania.es
Commercial office in Alicante
C/ Castaño nº8. 03001. Alicante. Spain
Contact: Francisco Alcalde
Tel.: 965 140 356
comercial@platania.es
https://platania.es