While some stone fruit growing areas have suffered the impact of adverse weather, the forecasts in Murcia are positive, and this applies also to the next table grape harvest, which will start in the first week of June.
"Prospects in Murcia are good because we haven't had any setbacks so far," says José Velasco, CEO of El Ciruelo. "Rains have come at the right time, and we expect to obtain larger sizes in all early fruit varieties, as well as greater crop security. We should be obtaining over 45,000 tons of stone fruit this season," he says.
© El Ciruelo
Last season, El Ciruelo produced 40,000 tons of stone fruit and 70,000 tons of grapes. "We are growing organically, as we have incorporated 500 hectares into production in the last few years, which will allow us to continue growing in the most interesting production periods," says the company's CEO.
"We are now seeing great interest in starting with the new campaign," says Velasco. "Consumers are showing more and more interest in new products, and fruit quality at the beginning of the season is getting better and better, boosting consumption right from the first few weeks."
"One of the main challenges for this year's stone fruit season will continue to be the weather. If we get good temperatures both in Europe and in Spain, demand will be high and everything will go according to plan," says Velasco.
To keep seeking the best varieties, variety renewal remains essential for this company. "In stone fruit, newer, more evolved varieties are introduced in a timely manner. We work with all sorts of fruit, always looking for a better consumer experience: better flavor, color, texture, and post-harvest performance. One of these sorts is the platerina, which we are still firmly committed to," he says.
© El Ciruelo
El Ciruelo is currently finishing the South African table grape campaign and starting with the Chilean campaign. "Unlike others, we will continue to supply Brazilian grapes during the month of May and, if everything goes according to plan, we will start the Spanish season on the coast during the first week of June," he says.
The company remains committed to grapes as a commodity product for consumers who, according to José Velasco, "have increasingly better access to good quality varieties in the retail, even in winter, when we have seen a growth of more than 20%."
© El Ciruelo
"Consumers are always looking to buy fresh, quality fruit. For this reason, they are willing to do their groceries on a daily basis to make sure that what they consume is in the best possible condition, in other words, that the product is fresher, has better color, flavor, and appearance."
In recent years, El Ciruelo has been expanding the acreage devoted to table grapes by around 100 hectares a year.
For more information:
El Ciruelo S.L.
Autovía Alhama
Cartagena, Km 2,5
30840, Murcia, Spain
Tel.: +34 968 630 645
[email protected]
www.elciruelo.com
