According to Charlotte Pierron-Darbonne, daughter of the former owner of Planasa and CEO of the Persea Group, interest in planting mangoes is growing in Spain and other Mediterranean countries. The lack of water infrastructure in Malaga is motivating many farmers to switch from avocado to mango cultivation, due to its lower water requirements, as well as other exotic fruits. In addition, new production areas are being explored.
The Persea Group was founded in 2021 to become an integrated player in the European tropical sector. It is divided into two differentiated companies that represent the two key links in this integration: Persea Nurseries and Persea Growers, representing the nursery and production links, respectively.
© Grupo Persea
Based in Ayamonte (Huelva) and Algarrobo (Malaga), Persea Nurseries is our technical nursery specialized in producing mango, lychee, and, soon, pistachio plants," Charlotte stated. "I don't think there's any nursery that is as specialized in mango as we are; a product with great potential. Demand for mango plants is so high that there is more than a year's wait to purchase them.
"We believe that in the coming years, many hectares of avocado will be converted to mango because of its lower water requirements. We are exploring new production areas, such as Huelva. Our proximity to European markets makes it an alternative to imported mango, which presents more complications and risks without offering the quality of a local, European-produced mango," she said.
"Our approach is based on creating a new standard of quality in tropical and nut nurseries, following the same strategy used by the most advanced berry nurseries over the last decade. We do this because my family has four generations of agricultural entrepreneurs, with extensive experience in nurseries," Charlotte said.
"It's a nascent sector in tropical crops. We are working towards the professionalization, technification, and traceability of nurseries to ensure consistent quality and meet the market's growing demand for mango and pistachio plants. To achieve this, we have state-of-the-art greenhouses, a mother plant field with a wide variety of tropical species, an ideal climate for tropical production, and, most importantly, a highly qualified and motivated team with significant nursery sector experience," she emphasized.
Farmers seek strong, healthy plants that produce quickly and with high quality, she added. The nursery's mother plant field includes a variety of mango types: "We work with Osteen, Kent, Keitt, Irwin, Palmer, Tommy Atkins, Ataulfo, Alphonso, and Sensación, among others. We aim to extend Spain's production calendar as much as possible, and there's also growing interest from other Mediterranean countries, such as Italy—particularly in Sicily—as well as Greece, Morocco, and Turkey," she concluded.
© Grupo Persea
Persea is also betting on lychee, a species native to Asia. In Europe, the company is currently growing lychee plants and fruit in 5 hectares in Malaga, the area with the most subtropical climate.
"We find it an interesting fruit and, compared to mango, its market is more niche. It is barely known in Spain, but it's very popular in France, especially during the Christmas season. Lychee is usually imported to Europe by sea from Madagascar. The higher quality fruit is brought by plane from the island of Réunion. It is a product that fits very well into the snack concept, as it can be easily and quickly eaten, and it is very sweet and visually attractive," Charlotte stated.
"In Malaga, lichee is harvested in August, so we have to promote its consumption at this time of year. It is a premium product because it is a niche fruit, with a limited supply, and highly appreciated by its consumers," she explained.
Persea Growers is the group's agricultural division, dedicated to cultivating avocados, mangoes, and lychees. "We already have 400 hectares of avocado and mango in Portugal, Huelva, and Malaga. We also have our sights set on Morocco to continue growing, to exceed 1,000 hectares," Charlotte said.
© Grupo PerseaFor more information:
Charlotte Pierron-Darbonne
Persea Group
M: +34 627 317 088
[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/company/persea-growers/
www.linkedin.com/company/persea-nurseries/
www.perseanurseries.com
