To be or not to be
Two seasons of intensive collaboration provided the insight that they must remain faithful to the principle that no more should be planted than has been sold. Wim: "Agriculture is inherently bound to unpredictable occurrences (climate) that immediately affect the results. Being able to get rid of doubt around the sales of the produced crops and the (relative) certainty of the yields is a powerful argument that determines the 'to be or not to be'."
Ideal solutions
Wim emphasises that cultivating by contract for all parties is an ideal solution for both clients and the growers. "Clients can determine what has to be produced and give the guarantee to buy that production in weekly deliveries throughout the entire season for the same price per crop. As the buyer deals directly with the growers, they are ensured competitive agreements." The united growers can operate with less bureaucracy than before. "Cooperations have been active as long as memory among Spanish farmers. They used to have to wait and see what their part was after the end of the season. Through contract cultivation they have a better idea of what to expect before planting starts and see themselves released from the sky high costs of the overheads which some of those organisations have to deal with."
Flexible
Growers in Murcia can operate surprisingly competitively and very flexibly due to contract agreements according to Wim. "Now they can control financing more easily and have also become more independent in other ways, it is a logical step for them to come together and take up communal use of material and installations. This way they can focus, together, on everyday problems: leased land, irrigation, purchasing, staff, quality control, certificates, finance, insurance, tax and all of the other tasks they deal with day to day."
Fresh products
Explotaciones Fincas Iberia has been taking care of the export marketing for them for almost two seasons. A privilege according to Wim. "Due to the collaboration growers don't just have to focus on the demand for fresh crops from the local market but can also spread their wings to the export of fresh quality products: iceberg, endive, frisee, batavia, lettuce, oak leaf, lollorosso, lollobiondo, spinach, savoy cabbage, baby leaf, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, celery and fresh herbs."
Sun
Wim looks towards the 2017-2018 season with optimism and energy. "The sun is shining here in Spain, figuratively as well. The searching and experimenting stage is now over and multiple growers are offering." Wim will visit his buyers over the next few weeks.
Click here for the product presentation
Insight:
Explotaciones Fincas Iberia S.L.
Asociated Growers Iberia
Wim Isings
[email protected]
www.agiberia.com
T: +34 965424241
