Spain: Pink tomato production on the rise

Pink tomatoes are a success in the Region of Aragon, Spain. Production figures have multiplied by eight in the last three years and growers from Somontano and other neighbouring regions expect to produce 1,600 tonnes this campaign. This was announced by the Alto Aragón Growers Association after giving a press conference to present the Pink Tomato Order Gala, to be held next Saturday at the Barbastro Fair Auditorium.

In 2009 around 200,000 kilos of pink tomatoes were harvested in Alto Aragón. A year later it went up to 600,000 and last season it reached half a million kilos. This variety is mainly commercialized in Aragon, Barcelona, Madrid, the Basque Country and Logroño. Seeds are also being sold to several countries in Europe, such as Denmark and Romania.

The association expects trade volumes to continue rising in the next few years given the increased planting of tomatoes this campaign. Barbastro alone expects an 85% rise compared to last season, going from 110,000 kilos in 2011 to 180,000 this year. Somontano, Ribagorza, La Hoya de Huesca and other regions are all producing and shipping larger amounts.

70% of the production is being sold in Zaragoza, although they are also becoming popular in the Catalan market, as well as in Madrid and North Spain (the Basque Country and Navarra, particularly).

Source: Elperiodicodearagon