This year, Spain's fig harvest started one week earlier than usual in Elche and Albatera, in the province of Alicante, due to high temperatures. The season begins with strong demand, although supplies will be limited until next week.
"The high temperatures accelerated the ripening process. The season usually starts on the last week of July, but this year it started earlier," said Susi Bonet, from the commercial department of the Cambayas cooperative in Elche, which, along with Albatera, is the country's earliest and largest producer of figs.
© Cambayas
At the moment, supply is limited, as is usual at the start of the harvest. "We're the only region harvesting now, so there's a lot of demand. Other Spanish regions, such as Lérida, are starting later, and Turkish figs don't hit the market until mid-August," she added.
Total volumes are expected to be similar to last year. However, due to the lack of rain, there will be more small figs this year. In addition, the persistent heat is causing some fruits to become too soft. "This season, we'll have to eat two figs instead of one," Susi joked. "However, the heat has also helped the fruit have high levels of Brix degrees and great flavor," she said.
At the moment, the fruit is arriving in small quantities on the market. "Next week we'll have enough supply to fulfill all orders," Bonet said. Cambayas, which focuses on the cultivation and sale of pomegranates during the autumn and winter months, sells approximately 60% of its figs within Spain. The remaining 40% is exported to other European countries. The season will run until the end of August.
For more information:
Susi Bonet
CAMBAYAS COOP.V
Tel: +34 966637588
Email: [email protected]
www.cambayas.com
