According to data from the Provincial Delegation of Agriculture, which European Press has had access to, the U.S. continues its campaign until 30th of April, so export volume is more than ten percent of the total allowed by the U.S. administration, which is 17 million kilos.
To sell peppers from AlmerÃa in the U.S., producers and traders of the province
have to meet phytosanitary requirements imposed by the U.S. administration, so as to ensure that the product is free from the so-called 'fruit fly', thus avoiding the introduction of plague 'Ceratitis capitata' in that country.
For this purpose and to ensure that the product is not affected by this disease, the United States requires farmers to install a trapping network within and outside the farm to protect the production, both in the greenhouse and in the warehouse where it is handled and packaged. The current campaign has the green light for 21
companies to export to the U.S, which are those that have received approval from the certification authority - in this case Agrocolor - and regulatory approval from the Provincial Delegation of Agriculture.
Of the 259 greenhouses for this campaign which have grown peppers for the United States, 238 have been authorized, which together add up to 256 hectares, of which 254 are dedicated to growing the variety 'California', and two for the 'Italian'. The remaining farms failed the initial audit conducted by the certification entity between October 1st and December 1st, nor did they pass the maintenance inspections performed between December 1st and April 31st.
Source: Europapress