As Massimo says: "At the moment, the quality of tomatoes is not the best, with 50% of volumes destined to a warehouse for second category product."
The climate is changed significantly compared to February: temperatures come back to normal level. "It is expected that tomatoes will be harvest in 20/25 days with a strong improvement in quality. Many farmers, in particular in the area of Nijar and Campohermoso, removed tomato plants affected by frosts in February and now are planting melons and watermelons. This crop rotation means a lower tomato volume in the period between 20th March and 15th April, 2012" Massimo explains.
Average prices of vegetables - 11th week of 2012
| Product | Type / Package | Price in €/kg (departure from Almeria) |
| Aubergine | 0.90 | |
| Red pepper | 1.85 | |
| Yellow pepper | 1.85 | |
| Long life tomato | in bulk M | 0.85 |
| Long life tomato | in bulk G | 0.95 |
| Long life tomato | vine M | 1.00 |
| Long life tomato | vine G | 1.10 |
| Beefheart tomato | 30x50 wood mono-layer box | 1.20 |
| Beefheart tomato | 40x60 wood mono-layer box | 1.50 |
Due to the recent strong cold in February, the company D & D closes the campaign for its 'flagship' Beefheart tomato destined to Italy, a month earlier.
In photo: the effets of cold on Beefheart tomato. The colour is glassy, the skin seems hammered and the fruit is empty inside. This is the reason why the company D & D decided to close the marketing of this product a month earlier.
"In place of Beefheart tomato we will plant San Marzano tomato with late harvest (May/June) in collaboration with the well-known Italian brand, Agro T 18" Massimo says.
Further Massimo informs that tomorrow (Saturday, 17th March, 2012) there will be a meeting of members of C.A.S.I., the greatest tomato cooperative in Almeria.
Contact:
Massimo Messina
D & D
Darzoves S.L.
Phone: +34 950 037842
Fax: +34 950 290640
Mobile: +34 672 284731
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Skype: maxmex9