Companies in Almeria are investing in new products ahead of the start of the season, which has been delayed due to the heat that has still been recorded in the last weeks of October. Diversification in vegetable production is also an ongoing trend in the organic sector. The goal is to continue moving forward in an increasingly competitive market that is full of challenges.
"The situation in recent years has strengthened the positioning of those companies specializing in organic. Others who had made inroads into organic have gone back to conventional. As a result, we are expecting to grow by 15%," says Francisco Jesús Montoya, manager of Campojoyma.
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This season, they are introducing the new Rosa tomato, "which is grown on 10 hectares located in the Cabo de Gata area, in the province of Almeria. The prospect is to sell one million kilos of Rosa tomato throughout Europe from October to May," says Montoya.
For the time being, summer supply programs are not a problem because "we differentiate ourselves by growing all year round in different geographical areas. For example, with organic peppers, we start on the Almeria coast, continue in Murcia, and then move on to Fiñana and Abla. This allows us to guarantee the supply 12 months a year."
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To face the biggest challenges in the organic sector, "I believe that the European Union should launch institutional awareness campaigns in order to avoid depending on the economic situation and facilitate the growth of the niche market of people who really believe in healthy eating and sustainability, and who choose to buy organic products," says the manager.
In any case, "I am convinced that companies specializing in organic products will do well in the coming years. We are confident thanks to our differentiation, which is based on spreading out each crop between different geographical areas to make the most of their climatic conditions, guaranteeing the year-round supply of organic produce, especially at times when there is less supply on the market, and our combined social and environmental commitment."
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As far as biodynamic agriculture is concerned, Montoya says, "It results in better water consumption in our production. Moreover, these crops have more fertile, vibrant, and resilient soils, which results in more nutritionally balanced and better-tasting vegetables. It also requires a high social commitment to the environment in which we work. Our biodynamic products are certified with the Demeter seal."
A very important factor is that "we get a better price for biodynamic products in European markets. Therefore, biodynamic agriculture makes our environmental and social commitment compatible with financial profitability," says the manager.
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"Our main destinations are France and the Scandinavian countries, which are mature markets with high demand. Germany is also very important, as it is the largest market for organic products in Europe. Poland and the rest of Eastern Europe are emerging countries with great potential for growth, given the growing number of organic stores, the interest of distribution chains, and government support," says Montoya.
Founded in 2004, Campojoyma is a 100% organic company, with 700 workers and devoted to the production of pepper, tomato, and its specialties, Chinese cabbage (global leader in organic), broccoli, lemon, and watermelon in Almeria, Granada, Murcia, and Albacete. In 2024, it had a turnover of 87 million euros.
For more information:
Francisco Jesús Montoya
Campojoyma
[email protected]
www.campojoyma.com
