Once exotic, avocados have integrated into European diets, appearing in various culinary forms. The increasing demand for quality avocados prompts questions about their origins and potential new cultivation areas. In Mallorca, traditionally known for potatoes, a shift is occurring as a local farmer explores avocado farming.
Joan Alzina Riutort, founder of Aguacates Son Sabater, is pioneering this transition. "I come from a family of farmers," he states. "My grandfather, my father, my brother—all generations. We have always grown potatoes. But I wanted to try something new."
Joan's venture began with 600 trees in 2021, expanding to 2,000 across five hectares, positioning Aguacates Son Sabater as a notable player in Mallorca's avocado sector. The shift from potato to avocado cultivation presented challenges, particularly due to the delicate nature of avocado trees. Joan remarks, "Before I planted them, I didn't know much about avocados. I had never even eaten one. I thought it was a bad fruit!"
His farming approach emphasizes sustainability. "Our focus is on providing avocados grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides, preserving both the purity of the flavor and the health of our environment." Unlike avocados from Peru, Colombia, or South Africa, which are often harvested prematurely, Son Sabater avocados are picked when ripe. "I take the fruit at the right moment," Joan explains. "It can stay in your house long, much longer than supermarket avocados. And the taste is better. Everybody tells me."
Joan's daily routine involves meticulous tree management, addressing stress, pests, and disease. "I spend a lot of time monitoring the health of the trees," he notes. Harvesting is a careful, staged process to avoid bruising, and impacting quality. "It's a slower process than potatoes," he observes, "but it's worth it for the quality."
He cultivates several avocado varieties, including Bacon, Hass, and Fuerte, each offering distinct flavors and textures. The health benefits of avocados, such as heart health support and nutrient richness, are well-documented, enhancing their appeal.
Despite the dominance of potato farming in Sa Pobla, Joan envisions a role for avocados in Mallorca's agriculture. "There are very few avocado farms here, and most are very small. I think this is the biggest one." He aims to expand through social media and direct sales, with future plans for farm visits.
Joan is committed to developing Mallorca's avocado farming, inspired by successes in mainland Spain. "When I started, I never saw avocados in Mallorca. I started without a guide. But if it works in mainland Spain, then why not here?"
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin