"It is a remontant variety which for now reaches its production peak from October to January and from April to late July, although the tests we have been conducting have been very satisfactory, and next season we will have commercial volumes from October up until July, keeping more than acceptable production levels thanks to our long-cane production in Kent, England," explains Sergio Mato, of Terra Agricola's marketing department.
"In Agadir, Morocco, the company aims to produce from January to May, thus filling the gap left by Huelva's production. This will allow us to export raspberries from October to July."
For now, Terra Agricola has 40 hectares, and next season it hopes to reach 60 hectares.
"We work with supermarket chains as well as with markets in Spain, France, Italy and Germany, although our main customers are in the UK and Norway."
According to Sergio, red fruits in Norway are almost a commodity. "In supermarkets you can find 125 gram containers on the shelves where impulse purchase products are placed, next to gum and chocolate bars, for example. But, although consumption in Norway is very high, we believe there is also great potential for growth in the rest of Europe. Currently demand is higher than what we are able to produce."
Sergio points out that the Kwanza "resists shipments well, reaches good sizes, has a good taste and does not reach an intense colour, something which is truly appreciated by our customers." Furthermore, "unlike other varieties that are now breaking strongly into the market, the Kwanza is still relatively unknown, although we are looking to produce it from the start in a very controlled manner, so that its production volumes can increase while in the hands of just a few growers, thus achieving greater homogeneity in their marketing," states Sergio.
Geographical distribution of the production
Terra Agricola is making initial contacts to test the raspberry's production in conventional greenhouses in Almeria.
In the words of Sergio Mato: "Trials with raspberries have already been conducted in Almeria by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, although in my opinion the evidence is still weak, since highly sophisticated greenhouses were used with 'unreal' conditions. We want to experiment with 'real' greenhouses and feasible conditions for Almeria."
"In any case, planting in Almeria also entails logistic difficulties, since it is necessary to combine it with transport at temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, and we are only a small company. There is the possibility of preparing combined shipments with broccoli adding dry ice. Once the logistic issues have been solved, we are interested in working with growers owning more than 4 hectares, which is more difficult to find in Almeria than in Huelva."
For more information:
Sergio Mato
Terra AgrÃcola
M: 629.409.761
T: 950.17.92.74
sergio@terraagricola.com
www.terragaricola.com