Due to demand, pomegranate production keeps rising every year. "The production volume this season will be 15% larger than last year, surpassing 9,000 tonnes," says Andrés. "We expect production to continue growing over the years."
Cambayas is a Valencian agricultural cooperative located in Elche, in the province of Alicante, Spain; an ideal location for the growing of this fruit, only 15 metres above sea level, with a microclimate influenced by sea breeze. Cambayas has existed since 1979, and out of its 1,200 hectares for fruit and vegetable growing, 500 are devoted to the production and commercialisation of pomegranates, as well as organic pomegranates.
"In 2011 we began introducing organic pomegranates into the market. The organic crops market appears to be growing quite a bit and it is an interesting market," affirms the entrepreneur.
"In 2011 we began introducing organic pomegranates into the market. The organic crops market appears to be growing quite a bit and it is an interesting market," affirms the entrepreneur.
The price paid to pomegranate growers is set around 50 cents per kilo and can reach 1 to 1.50 Euro at retailers.
Pomegranates are exported under the Cambayas and Debay brands to a wide range of markets, including the EU countries, Russia, which "is quite an interesting market," Asia and the Persian Gulf. Despite the fact that the Persian Gulf countries are great pomegranate producers, Andrés affirms that Elche's pomegranates are in demand there. "They really like our varieties, because they are sweet and not as seedy."
While pomegranate demand keeps rising, processed products also see an increase in consumption. "Pomegranate consumption has increased a lot lately, and for years there has been great interest from the industry in the production of pomegranate juice."
For more information: