Argentina: Climate change affects leafy greens

"In Argentina, the location of leafy green fields is often selected more on grounds of logistics than of ideal agroclimatic conditions," explains Agustín P. Benito, of the company Sueño Verde, adding: "Many growers prefer to grow the crop in areas that are not optimal, but are closer to the consumer, which gives mixed results in terms of quality."

Furthermore, Agustín points out that there are few controls and that most of the production process is marked by improvisation, looking just to cut costs. "Twenty years ago, when we started with Sueño Verde, our vision was not to produce with the lowest costs, but to offer the best quality and differentiation."

Consequently, the company developed a gourmet range, supplied to supermarkets, and also processes its products into salads. Arugula, leeks, spinach, chard herbs, baby vegetables, micro greens, gourmet mushrooms and tomatoes, among others, are part of Sueño Verde's wide range.

"Nowadays we have over 300 clients in the catering sector and we are present in all supermarket chains. We own 10 fields and a processing plant, from which we supply much of the country every day of the year," states Agustín.

This leading company in the premium segment is about to complete an expansion plan for its packing plant that will increase its capacity by 200% and turn it into the most advanced of its kind in the country.

"Our company is trying to lead a technological revolution locally, importing harvesting and protected cultivation technology to help us maintain a stable quality throughout the year," says Agustín, adding: "Investing in high-tech greenhouses is becoming increasingly necessary, since climate change is transforming Argentina into a tropical country."

This climate change, which is resulting in temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius being reached in the province of Buenos Aires, with them staying above 30 degrees for much of the summer and spring, and with increasingly milder winters, is taking a big toll, for example, on lettuce, as this crop is better suited to withstand lower temperatures, of up to -6 °C, rather than those above 30 °C.