"Cherimoya consumption should be promoted in Spain"

The cherimoya is an exotic fruit originally from Peru's Andean valleys, in South America, which was introduced in Spain before 1751 to the area of Motril, Almuñecar and Malaga. It is a very nutritious fruit due to its high sugar and protein content (20 and 2% respectively).

Frutas Manzano e Hijos S.L., with production farms in Almuñecar and Salobreña, Granada, is one of the few Spanish firms daring to market this delicious exotic fruit, which is harvested between September and March.

Frutas Manzano S.L.'s warehouse

This fruit has a very short shelf life, making long distance exports difficult. We still manage to ship them all over Europe," explains Bruno Crabé, marketer of Frutas Manzano. "We sell the fruit mainly in Madrid, Barcelona and Andalusia, but it should be better known in the rest of the country. Most firms in the sector fail in that respect."

This is not a stable market in our country, so "the idea is to promote cherimoyas in Spain rather than trying to export them abroad," affirms Mr Crabé, because "half of the fruit would not arrive in good condition and long distance exports would make it very expensive."

Due to the fruit's fragility, it is packed in cardboard boxes with a polyethylene foam protection, from calibre 6 up to 14, under the "Manzano" brand and the "Manzano Exclusive" premium brand.

As a firm specialised in exotic fruits, Frutas Manzano also grows and markets avocados, mangoes, persimmons and Chinese cabbage.

Bruno Crabé and José Tomás Abia at Fruit Attraction 2012

Avocado
Spanish avocados compete directly with Israel because "they are marketed during the same period and are of good quality, especially the Ettinger variety, as they do not produce as much Hass," says Mr Crabé, who affirms that "due to the climate having an impact on quality, Spanish avocados are the best in Europe."

For more information:
Bruno Crabé
Frutas Manzano e Hijos S.L.
Poli. Ind. "La Gasolinera", 43-44
Salobreña, Granada. Spain.
T +34958612597
M +34627566506
[email protected]
www.frutasmanzano.com

Frutas Manzano e Hijos S.L.
Barrio La Paloma, 11
Almuñécar, Granada. Spain
T +34 958631065